**Hungary’s Nuclear Expansion Project Gets Boost as US Lifts Sanctions**
In a major development, Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has announced that the United States has lifted sanctions on the country’s nuclear expansion project at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant. This move is expected to accelerate the construction of two new reactors, which will be built by Russia’s state-owned energy company Rosatom.
Szijjarto said in a statement that the construction of major equipment for the plant is already underway in Russia and France. He added that this means that construction can now proceed at a faster pace on site at Paks. The expansion project has faced significant delays, but with the US sanctions lifted, it is expected to move forward more smoothly.
**A Shift in US Policy?**
It’s worth noting that the US had imposed these sanctions under former President Joe Biden’s administration. However, since Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office in 2025, there has been a shift in US policy towards Russia and Ukraine. Trump has been pushing for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, and it appears that this effort may have contributed to the lifting of sanctions.
**Russia Finds Loopholes**
Meanwhile, Russia has found ways to circumvent sanctions imposed by other countries. It’s used its shadow fleet and relied on other financial mechanisms to continue business as usual. This makes it difficult for countries like Hungary to get clear answers about what is and isn’t allowed under US sanctions.
**A Complex Situation**
The situation surrounding the Paks nuclear expansion project is complex, with different interpretations of what exactly has happened. Ukrainian President’s Commissioner for Sanctions Vladyslav Vlasiuk accused Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjarto of “manipulation,” suggesting that the situation is not as clear-cut as it seems.
In a Facebook post, Vlasiuk explained that Paks faces a sanctions exemption from the EU, but the US has not lifted its sanctions. However, there is a new license that allows for transactions related to civilian nuclear energy prior to November 2024. This adds another layer of complexity to an already complicated situation.
**A 2032 Completion Date?**
Hungary’s Energy Minister Csaba Lantos had previously stated that he expected the Paks II project to be completed in 2032. With the lifting of US sanctions, it seems likely that this deadline will be met. However, as we’ve seen, the situation surrounding nuclear energy and sanctions is always subject to change.
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