OREANDA-NEWS  Hungary opposed the new package of anti-Russian sanctions at a meeting of the permanent representatives of the European Union (EU), the Financial Times (FT) reports.

Brussels refused Budapest to provide 5.8 billion euros for recovery after the pandemic, in response to this Hungary criticized sanctions against Russia and doubling the weapons fund for Ukraine and other countries. Some diplomats expressed concern that Hungary would "take hostage" all upcoming EU decisions that require unanimity.

"We should expect radical steps, we should be ready," a senior EU diplomat told the newspaper.

In addition, Budapest may veto the expansion of the Schengen zone without border control to Croatia and possibly Romania and Bulgaria. It is noted that Hungary spoke in favor of Bulgaria, while Croatia did not receive any information about a potential veto.

Earlier, the European Commission (EC) proposed to allocate Kiev another financial assistance in the amount of 18 billion euros. In particular, the EC was going to provide funds "in the form of loans on very preferential terms, which will be paid in regular payments from the beginning of 2023."