H.R. 8219 — BLOCK PUTIN Act

This section states 13 congressional findings concerning the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's reduced dependence on Russian fossil fuels (by approximately 90 percent since February 2022 via the REPowerEU initiative), sanctions imposed by the US and EU (including the EU's 19th sanctions package in October 2025 banning Russian LNG imports and targeting shadow fleet operators), Hungary's increased dependence on Russian energy (by an estimated 30 percent, providing Russia approximately $6.7 billion in crude oil revenue through December 31, 2024), and Hungary's blocking of a €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine in February 2026.

This section expresses the sense of Congress that it is in the U.S. national security interests (1) to encourage countries to diversify from Russian energy and (2) for European Union member states to finance support for Ukraine. The section states that it shall be the policy of the United States to hold Hungary accountable for actions that undermine those interests.

This section directs the President, not later than 30 days after enactment and every 180 days thereafter, to impose blocking sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and visa restrictions under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) on senior officials of the Government of Hungary who, on or after enactment, (1) block, delay, or obstruct financial or security assistance to Ukraine through bilateral, EU, NATO, or other multilateral mechanisms; or (2) approve or continue oil or natural gas imports from Russia. The visa restrictions render such officials inadmissible to the United States, ineligible for visas or other entry documentation or INA benefits, and subject to immediate revocation of any current visa (which automatically cancels other valid visas in their possession under INA §221(i) (8 U.S.C. 1201(i))). The section provides exceptions if Hungary adopts and implements a public plan to end Russian oil and gas dependency by 2028 and ceases obstructing Ukraine aid for 180 continuous days; for U.S. compliance with international agreements (e.g., UN Headquarters Agreement or Vienna Convention on Consular Relations); for law enforcement or intelligence activities; and for humanitarian assistance transactions. The President may waive sanctions for up to 180 days if vital to U.S. national security and the official commits to refrain from the specified conduct for one year. The section terminates 30 days after the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that Hungary has adopted a plan to end Russian energy imports within one year and ceased obstructing Ukraine aid for 180 continuous days.

This section requires the Secretaries of the Treasury and State to jointly submit to the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Financial Services, within 30 days of enactment, an unclassified report (with a possible classified annex) justifying any U.S. government facilitation of purchases of Russian oil and natural gas by Hungary or related entities. The report must include (1) descriptions of any licenses or comfort letters issued on or after October 22, 2025, to or for the benefit of Hungary or related entities concerning such Russian-origin energy (including effective periods, related State Department foreign policy guidance to Treasury, and communications to Hungary on potential renewals or extensions) and (2) estimates of the total volume and dollar value of such Russian oil and natural gas purchased by Hungary or related entities since the effective date of those licenses or letters.