Hungary is threatening to veto the European Union's 20th round of sanctions against Russia, demanding that oil deliveries through Ukraine be restored first. The dispute stems from damaged pipeline infrastructure that has interrupted Russian crude shipments to Hungary and Slovakia since late January.
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungary’s government is threatening to derail the European Union’s latest sanctions package targeting Russia, demanding the restoration of oil shipments that have been disrupted for weeks.
EU foreign ministers plan to gather in Brussels Monday to consider the bloc’s 20th set of penalties against Moscow, hoping to finalize the measures before Tuesday’s fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced his opposition in a social media video Sunday, claiming Ukraine is intentionally blocking Russian oil from reaching Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline.
“We will not consent to the adoption of the 20th package of sanctions, because we have previously made it clear that until the Ukrainians resume oil shipments to Hungary, we will not allow decisions that are important to them to be approved,” Szijjártó said.
The EU requires all 27 member nations to agree before implementing sanctions.
Oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia through the pipeline have been halted since January 27, following what Ukrainian authorities describe as Russian drone strikes that damaged the Druzhba system. The pipeline transports Russian crude through Ukrainian territory into Central Europe, creating escalating friction between Budapest and Kyiv.
While most European nations have drastically cut or eliminated Russian energy purchases since Moscow’s February 24, 2022 invasion, Hungary and Slovakia have continued and even expanded their Russian oil and gas imports. Both countries secured temporary waivers from EU restrictions on Russian petroleum imports.
Szijjártó announced Saturday that Hungary would also oppose a massive 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) EU loan package designed to support Ukraine’s military and economic requirements over the next two years.
Both Hungary and Slovakia declared earlier this week they would halt diesel exports to Ukraine due to the oil supply disruptions. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned Saturday his nation would terminate emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine unless oil flows resume by Monday.
Russian attacks using missiles and drones have repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s power infrastructure in recent months, leaving citizens without electricity and heat during an exceptionally harsh winter.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry issued a Saturday statement rejecting what it called “ultimatums and blackmail” from Hungary and Slovakia, accusing both nations of “playing into the hands of the aggressor.”
“Such actions, in the context of massive and targeted Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and Moscow’s attempts to deprive Ukrainians of electricity, heating, and gas during extreme cold weather, are provocative, irresponsible, and threaten the energy security of the entire region,” the ministry wrote.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who maintains the strongest ties to the Kremlin among EU leaders, has consistently argued that Russian energy supplies are essential for Hungary’s economy. He claims switching to alternative energy sources would trigger immediate economic disaster, though some analysts question this assessment.
Orbán has repeatedly threatened to undermine EU sanctions efforts against Moscow and has criticized measures targeting Russia’s energy revenues that fund its war effort. He has also blocked EU initiatives to provide military and financial support to Ukraine.