Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has declared that Hungary will veto any proposals from EU member states aimed at imposing sanctions on the leaders of the Georgian Dream party.

"We oppose adding Georgian officials to any sanctions list. If such a suggestion arises, Hungary will block it—this is certain." he asserted during a press conference in Budapest on December 10, where he was joined by Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili.

Following Szijjártó’s remarks, Zoltan Kovács, the Hungarian government’s press secretary for international affairs, reiterated the message on Platform X.

"Hungary stands firm for Georgia’s sovereignty. Speaking in Budapest, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó declared that Hungary will veto EU sanctions targeting Georgia's interior minister and police chiefs, calling the proposal “nonsensical and unjustified." He stressed: "We oppose adding Georgian officials to any sanctions list. If such a suggestion arises, Hungary will block it—this is certain." Highlighting shared challenges, FM Szijjártó praised Georgia’s recent election victory, which confirmed a patriotic, conservative government. He criticized what he termed the "liberal mainstream’s predictable response" of questioning the election’s legitimacy. "If the opposition had won, Brussels would be applauding democracy," he said, calling the criticism of Georgia “hypocritical, tired, and repulsive." Minister Szijjártó reiterated Hungary’s full support for Georgia’s EU aspirations, urging Brussels to stop alienating the country. He condemned the European Parliament's recent resolution, which he described as “insulting to an entire nation." He emphasized: "The EU must treat Georgia with respect if it seeks integration." - Kovács posted on Platform X.

On December 9, EU Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, remarked that recent events in Georgia over the past 12 days necessitate EU sanctions.

For the 13th consecutive day, protests have erupted in Tbilisi and other cities in response to Irakli Kobakhidze's statement on November 28, which announced the suspension of negotiations with the EU until 2028 by the Georgian Dream party.

The protesters' main demands include new parliamentary elections and releasing those detained during the protests.

Since November 28, police have detained 372 protesters administratively, with 62 being sentenced to administrative detention and over 100 receiving fines. Other cases are still under investigation.

Moreover, police have arrested more than 30 individuals on criminal charges, who now face potential prison sentences.