Ranking Member Shaheen, Senator Tillis Introduce Bipartisan BLOCK PUTIN Act to Hold Hungarian Government Enablers of Russia Accountable

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the bipartisan Barring Leverage and Obstruction that Contributes to Kremlin Profits Undermining Transatlantic Interests and NATO Act or the BLOCK PUTIN Act, which will hold senior Hungarian government officials accountable if they are obstructing European assistance to Ukraine or aiding the continued reliance of Hungary on Russian oil and gas.

The legislation comes amid reports of Hungarian officials providing confidential information on EU deliberations to Russia and alleged plots by the Russian government to influence the upcoming Hungarian elections. Hungary has provided billions of dollars in oil and gas payments to the Russian government, delivering critical financial boost for Putin as he continues to wage his illegal war against Ukraine. This bipartisan legislation sends a clear message that the United States must be consistent in holding our European Allies equally accountable in their support for Ukraine and in reducing their dependence on Russian oil and gas.

"When the rest of Europe is rightfully weaning off Russian energy, Hungary has doubled down," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "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. That's why I'm proud to introduce the bipartisan BLOCK PUTIN Act, which will hold senior Hungarian government officials accountable for obstructing European assistance to Ukraine and for facilitating Hungary's continued reliance on Russian energy past the required EU phase out. 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. 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."

"Putin's invasion of Ukraine exposed the serious national security risks tied to Europe's reliance on Russian energy," said Senator Tillis. "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 United States and our allies must remain united in supporting Ukraine and in cutting off the revenue streams that fuel Putin's war. The BLOCK PUTIN Act makes clear that there are consequences for actions that undermine that effort. This bill holds senior Hungarian officials accountable while giving Hungary a clear path to get back in line with its allies by ending its reliance on Russian energy and stopping its obstruction of support for Ukraine."

Specifically, the BLOCK PUTIN Act 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 continue to purchase Russian oil and gas.
  
  
• Create a pathway for Hungary to be removed from sanctions when it adopts and begins implementing a credible, public, time-bound plan to end reliance on Russian oil and gas and has not obstructed Ukraine assistance for at least 180 days.
  
  
• Require a report from the Departments of State and Treasury to explain the rationale for any exemptions from U.S. sanctions granted to Hungary.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

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