Reuters: Hungary calls for the removal of eight individuals from the European Union's sanctions list.

Hungary is demanding the exclusion of eight individuals from the EU sanctions lists.

This was reported by Reuters citing European diplomats.

The agency's sources declined to specify which individuals are involved, citing that this is confidential information.

Budapest states that it will only agree to the continuation of EU sanctions against Russia if its demands are met, as mentioned in the publication.

According to Reuters' sources, Hungary also stipulates its participation in negotiations regarding the transit of Russian gas as a condition for extending the sanctions.

The EU sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine are renewed every six months – and this requires a unanimous decision from all EU member states.

In the past, Hungary has repeatedly used this mechanism to obtain various concessions, writes Reuters.

On Monday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated on his Facebook that Budapest "is not in a hurry" to extend European sanctions imposed on specific individuals.

As of now, over 2,400 individuals and companies are included in the EU sanctions lists.

Background. Previously, it became known that one of the wealthiest individuals in Hungary, the son-in-law of Orban, wants to purchase the Russian subsidiary of Raiffeisenbank. It is claimed that the administration of Putin and the Russian Central Bank are involved in preparing the deal.