18 May 2024,   09:49
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Germany and Hungary Foreign Ministers quarreled during a meeting in Brussels – POLITICO

Germany and Hungary Foreign Ministers quarreled during a meeting in Brussels, writes POLITICO.

“Germany and Hungary quarreled Monday during a foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels over the role a controversial Hungarian bank is playing in Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to four diplomats familiar with the exchange.

The bank, OTP, has become a focal point for officials in recent days as Hungary is refusing to approve more EU military aid for Ukraine until Kyiv removes the company from a “war sponsors” list it maintains. Diplomats also say the dispute is delaying new Russia sanctions.

When Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó reiterated Budapest’s stance on Monday during the closed-door gathering, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock shot back, according to the diplomats, who spoke anonymously to describe the exchange.

They said she cited unspecified reports that OTP recognizes the Russian-occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk - contravening international law - and has extended credit lines to Russian soldiers.

They said she cited unspecified reports that OTP recognizes the Russian-occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk - contravening international law - and has extended credit lines to Russian soldiers.

Hungary rejected the accusations, echoing the bank itself, which has called the reports “not correct” in a statement and argued the bank’s management “expresses its support for Ukraine publicly”, - writes POLITICO.

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