Hungary stands alone in opposing key EU decision on Russian-Belarussian tariffs
The EU Council of Ministers adopted a new regulation on Thursday that imposes additional tariffs on certain agricultural products and nitrogen-based fertilisers from Russia and Belarus. The measure aims to reduce the EU's import dependency while diminishing revenues from Russian exports, thereby weakening Moscow's war capabilities.
Under the decision, the new tariffs will affect approximately 15 per% of Russian agricultural imports, while for fertilisers, they will be implemented gradually over a three-year transition period.
According to the Council's statement, Michał Baranowski, speaking on behalf of the Polish presidency, emphasised that the move strengthens the union's economic security and contributes to preserving European unity. 'This is united Europe at its best,' he stated. The EU communication indicates that the tariff increase not only weakens the Russian war economy but also ensures more stable, predictable fertiliser supply and affordability for EU farmers.
During the vote, Hungary was the only member state to vote against the proposal, while Belgium and Bulgaria abstained.
However, the qualified majority was sufficient for the regulation to pass. In EU practice, abstention is interpreted as diplomatic rejection but carries less political weight than an outright no vote.
At the same Thursday council meeting, another vote took place concerning Ukraine and Moldova regarding the recognition of seed equivalence. Once again, only the Hungarian representative - Bálint Ódor, Permanent Representative to the EU - voted against, while Poland abstained. These decisions stem from the European Commission's January proposal, which aimed to support Ukraine's defence through trade measures and reduce the economic influence of aggressor states within the EU. Cover photo (for illustration purposes only): EU
