Bipartisan Senate Bill Would Sanction Hungarian Officials for Enabling Russia's War in Ukraine

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan pair of U.S. senators introduced legislation Thursday that would hold senior Hungarian government officials accountable for allegedly undermining Western support for Ukraine and continuing to funnel billions of dollars to Russia through energy purchases.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced the Barring Leverage and Obstruction that Contributes to Kremlin Profits Undermining Transatlantic Interests and NATO Act — known as the BLOCK PUTIN Act — on March 26.

The legislation would require the president to impose sanctions and visa bans on senior Hungarian government officials who block, delay, or obstruct assistance to Ukraine through U.S., EU, NATO, or other multilateral channels, and who continue to purchase Russian oil and gas. The bill also establishes a pathway for Hungary to be removed from sanctions if it adopts a credible, public, time-bound plan to end its reliance on Russian energy and refrains from obstructing Ukraine assistance for at least 180 consecutive days.

Additionally, the measure would require the Departments of State and Treasury to report the rationale for any sanctions exemptions granted to Hungary.

The bill comes amid reports of Hungarian officials allegedly providing confidential EU deliberation information to Russia and alleged Russian government plots to influence upcoming Hungarian elections. Hungary has provided billions of dollars in oil and gas payments to the Russian government, which senators say has delivered a critical financial boost to President Vladimir Putin as Russia continues its war against Ukraine.

"When the rest of Europe is rightfully weaning off Russian energy, Hungary has doubled down," Shaheen said in a statement. "Hungary’s payments for Russian oil and gas to the tune of billions of euros has buoyed Putin’s finances and bolstered Russia’s war effort against Ukraine."

Shaheen also took aim at a reported planned visit by Vice President JD Vance to Hungary. "It is beyond belief that Vice President Vance is reportedly planning on visiting Hungary to provide an electoral boost to a corrupt government that continues to help fund Russia’s war machine," she said. "If we want this war in Ukraine to end, the Trump Administration needs to be consistent in holding our Allies to the same standards; no one, especially Viktor Orban, should get a free pass."

Tillis framed the legislation as a matter of national security and alliance solidarity. "Putin’s invasion of Ukraine exposed the serious national security risks tied to Europe’s reliance on Russian energy," he said. "While many of our allies have taken steps to reduce that dependence, Hungary has gone in the opposite direction by increasing its purchases of Russian oil and gas and blocking critical assistance to Ukraine."

"The BLOCK PUTIN Act makes clear that there are consequences for actions that undermine that effort," Tillis added, noting the bill gives Hungary "a clear path to get back in line with its allies."

Photo source: Bing