NATO Member Criticizes US for Recent Russia Sanctions
The US has implemented blocking sanctions on the final SWIFT-associated Russian bank that permitted EU countries to make payments for Russian energy supplies. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Hungary’s Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, has expressed concern that new restrictions against Gazprombank will negatively impact Central European countries. He argues that Washington's decision to blacklist Gazprombank—a crucial channel for Russian gas purchases—is aimed at destabilizing energy security in the region.
Recently, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on over 50 Russian financial institutions, including Gazprombank and six of its international subsidiaries. These sanctions essentially cut off Russia’s key bank for energy-related transactions from the SWIFT interbank messaging system, preventing it from conducting dollar-based transactions.
Szijjarto stated on Facebook that the inclusion of Gazprombank on the sanctions list is a deliberate move that places many Central European nations in a precarious position and jeopardizes their energy supply security. He emphasized that any efforts to compromise Hungary’s energy supplies, whether through sanctions or disruptions in transit, would be seen as a violation of the country’s sovereignty.
He affirmed, “We reject all the attacks of the kind against our sovereignty, resist the pressure, and pursue our national interests.”
Additionally, Szijjarto revealed that he had discussions regarding Hungary's gas supplies with Pavel Sorokin, the first deputy head of the Russian Energy Ministry, during the Istanbul Energy Forum held in Türkiye on November 22. They reviewed the current gas transportation situation and reiterated their commitment to ensuring secure energy supplies to Hungary.
Hungary is also engaging in discussions with energy ministers from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, and Serbia, as well as consulting with Slovakia to find ways to secure energy resources.
Despite the EU's efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, many European nations continue to import substantial quantities of liquefied natural gas from Russia. According to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air, in August, pipeline gas accounted for the largest portion of the EU's purchases of Russian fossil fuels, followed by LNG.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
Recently, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on over 50 Russian financial institutions, including Gazprombank and six of its international subsidiaries. These sanctions essentially cut off Russia’s key bank for energy-related transactions from the SWIFT interbank messaging system, preventing it from conducting dollar-based transactions.
Szijjarto stated on Facebook that the inclusion of Gazprombank on the sanctions list is a deliberate move that places many Central European nations in a precarious position and jeopardizes their energy supply security. He emphasized that any efforts to compromise Hungary’s energy supplies, whether through sanctions or disruptions in transit, would be seen as a violation of the country’s sovereignty.
He affirmed, “We reject all the attacks of the kind against our sovereignty, resist the pressure, and pursue our national interests.”
Additionally, Szijjarto revealed that he had discussions regarding Hungary's gas supplies with Pavel Sorokin, the first deputy head of the Russian Energy Ministry, during the Istanbul Energy Forum held in Türkiye on November 22. They reviewed the current gas transportation situation and reiterated their commitment to ensuring secure energy supplies to Hungary.
Hungary is also engaging in discussions with energy ministers from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, and Serbia, as well as consulting with Slovakia to find ways to secure energy resources.
Despite the EU's efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, many European nations continue to import substantial quantities of liquefied natural gas from Russia. According to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air, in August, pipeline gas accounted for the largest portion of the EU's purchases of Russian fossil fuels, followed by LNG.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
