Hungary and Slovakia, which rely on Russian crude, have previously delayed or threatened to block sanctions. Sources told FT that Brussels may release part of the €22 billion ($26 billion) in EU funds frozen for Hungary in 2022 over alleged rule-of-law concerns. Another tranche followed when the EU said the country had made progress on gender equality, days after Hungary ratified Sweden's NATO bid. Budapest said it would veto sanctions that threaten its supplies, calling the measures ineffective. Russia has repeatedly denounced sanctions as illegal, saying they primarily harm the countries that impose them.