The top Republican on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jim Risch, said on Wednesday he was blocking a $735 million arms sale to Hungary because the government in Budapest had not ratified Sweden’s NATO membership, Reuters reported. Budapest promptly reacted to this statement.

“Given the promises made to me and others last year that this vote would be taken, and the fact that we are in June and there is still no such vote, I have decided that the sale of new US military equipment to Hungary will remain on hold,” – Sen. Jim Risch announced in a statement.

“Hungary must take the necessary steps to allow Sweden to join the alliance – and as soon as possible,” he added.

Under US law, major arms deals are reviewed by top Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

They regularly raise issues or express concerns about human rights or diplomatic issues, which can delay or even stop arms sales.

The Washington Post reported that the blocked weapons purchase includes 24 batteries of HIMARS missile launchers and more than 100 missiles and launchers, as well as related parts and support.

Unagria says he actually had no intention of buying more HIMARS systems

But Hungary’s defense ministry sent a statement, cited by MTI, saying it had no intention of buying HIMARS systems. “During the government’s previous mandate, the government procurement commissioner requested information on HIMARS missile systems in a letter with a deadline of March 2022. There was no response from the US, so the ministry considered the matter closed,” he notes. Budapest.

Sweden applied to join NATO last year because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Objections from Turkey and Hungary delayed the bid, and Sweden now hopes to join a NATO summit in Lithuania next month.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday.