Hungary's prime minister says sanctions issued by the United States last week against a powerful Hungarian official have “strengthened” that official’s standing within the populist government.

Sanctions imposed by the outgoing U.S. administration on Prime Minister Viktor Orban's cabinet chief Antal Rogan, who is in charge of the secret service, have only strengthened his position, Orban told state radio on Friday.

The European Union should end sanctions against Russia because Donald Trump’s administration is poised to usher in a “new era” from next week, said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged the European Union to lift sanctions on Russia, news portal Telex reported on Jan. 17. According to the Hungarian outlet, Orban said it's "time to throw sanctions out the window" and establish a sanctions-free relationship with Russia during a radio interview.