S. 4275 — BLOCK PUTIN Act

This section states congressional findings concerning Europe's energy dependence on Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, including that (1) the EU reduced such dependence by approximately 90% via the REPowerEU initiative (i.e., oil imports cut by more than 90%, pipeline gas by roughly 80%); (2) Hungary increased its dependence by an estimated 30%, providing Russia approximately $6.7 billion in crude oil revenue from February 24, 2022, through December 31, 2024, and received a U.S. sanctions exemption in November 2025; (3) most EU countries complied with REPowerEU timelines except Hungary and Slovakia, which sought exemptions; and (4) in February 2026, Hungary blocked a €90 billion EU loan package and the proposed 20th sanctions package against Russia, while Slovakia vowed to follow suit.

This section expresses the sense of Congress that it serves U.S. national security interests to encourage countries to diversify from Russian energy and for EU member states to finance support for Ukraine. It further declares it U.S. policy to hold Hungary accountable for actions undermining those interests.

This section requires the President, not later than 30 days after enactment and every 180 days thereafter, to impose sanctions on senior officials of the Government of Hungary who direct or approve obstructing financial or security assistance to Ukraine or facilitating oil or natural gas imports from Russia, including (1) blocking all property and interests in property in the United States, within U.S. jurisdiction, or under U.S. person control pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act; and (2) rendering such aliens inadmissible to the United States, ineligible for visas or other entry documentation, and subject to immediate revocation of any current visas or entry documentation under INA §221(i) (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)), which automatically cancels any other valid visas in their possession. This section exempts sanctions if Hungary adopts and implements a public plan to substantially diversify away from Russian oil and gas imports before 2028 and ceases obstructing Ukraine aid for at least 180 continuous days; if necessary to comply with U.S. international obligations (e.g., UN Headquarters Agreement or Vienna Convention on Consular Relations) or for U.S. law enforcement; or for authorized U.S. intelligence activities. This section authorizes the President to waive sanctions for up to 180 days upon certifying to congressional committees that doing so is vital to U.S. national security and the individual commits to refrain from the prohibited conduct for at least one year. This section terminates 30 days after the Secretary of State certifies to congressional committees that Hungary has adopted and begun implementing a public plan to end Russian oil and gas dependency within one year and has ceased obstructing Ukraine aid for at least 180 continuous days.

This section directs the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of 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, not later than 30 days after enactment, a report justifying any U.S. government facilitation of Hungarian government or related entities' purchases of Russian oil and natural gas. The report must include (1) a detailed description of any license or comfort letter issued on or after October 22, 2025, to or for the benefit of Hungary or related entities concerning such Russian-origin energy (including transactions with sanctioned energy companies or financial institutions), its period of effectiveness, related State Department foreign policy guidance to Treasury, and communications to Hungary on potential renewals or extensions; and (2) an estimate of the total volume and dollar value of such Russian oil and gas purchased by Hungary or related entities since the effective date of any such license or comfort letter. The report must be unclassified but may include a classified annex.