Orban Specifies Preconditions for Extending EU's Sanctions on Russia
Budapest will back additional restrictions only if Kiev reassesses its strategy regarding the transit of Russian energy, according to the Hungarian Prime Minister. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Budapest will only support further restrictions if Kiev revisits its energy transit approach, according to the Hungarian PM.
Hungary is willing to endorse the continuation of EU sanctions against Moscow solely if Brussels encourages Ukraine to recommence the transit of Russian gas to the EU, Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated on Friday.
Orban's remarks precede an EU vote regarding the potential extension of sanctions set to expire at the end of January, following Ukraine's recent halting of Russian gas transit to Hungary through its pipeline network.
“Hungary lost €19 billion [$20 billion] due to the sanctions, I pulled the handbrake, I asked the European leaders to understand that this cannot continue,” Orban noted during an interview with Kossuth radio when discussing the sanctions.
He called on Brussels to influence Kiev to restore gas transit from Russia to the EU via Ukrainian territory. Deliveries were suspended from January 1 after Ukraine chose not to renew a contract with Gazprom.
“The Ukrainians want to mess with us,” Orban remarked, referring to Ukraine's transit fees and gas delivery restrictions, which he criticized as factors that have significantly inflated energy prices. “This is a phone call, dear Ukrainian comrades, open the taps,” he added.
The Prime Minister also insisted that Kiev guarantee the security of TurkStream, the primary remaining alternative gas supply route to Hungary. Earlier this month, Ukrainian drones targeted a compressor station in Russia linked to the pipeline.
The PM emphasized that Hungary’s oil supply routes must also be safeguarded against similar attacks.
In the wake of the escalated Ukraine conflict in 2022 and the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage, the EU has focused on reducing dependence on Russian energy resources. Several member states have voluntarily ceased importing Russian gas, while others have maintained their purchases. Additionally, some nations are using Russian liquefied natural gas, which has only been partially impacted by sanctions.
Ukraine's decision not to extend a five-year transit agreement with Russia at the end of 2024 has effectively severed Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Italy, and Moldova from access to Russian piped natural gas.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
Hungary is willing to endorse the continuation of EU sanctions against Moscow solely if Brussels encourages Ukraine to recommence the transit of Russian gas to the EU, Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated on Friday.
Orban's remarks precede an EU vote regarding the potential extension of sanctions set to expire at the end of January, following Ukraine's recent halting of Russian gas transit to Hungary through its pipeline network.
“Hungary lost €19 billion [$20 billion] due to the sanctions, I pulled the handbrake, I asked the European leaders to understand that this cannot continue,” Orban noted during an interview with Kossuth radio when discussing the sanctions.
He called on Brussels to influence Kiev to restore gas transit from Russia to the EU via Ukrainian territory. Deliveries were suspended from January 1 after Ukraine chose not to renew a contract with Gazprom.
“The Ukrainians want to mess with us,” Orban remarked, referring to Ukraine's transit fees and gas delivery restrictions, which he criticized as factors that have significantly inflated energy prices. “This is a phone call, dear Ukrainian comrades, open the taps,” he added.
The Prime Minister also insisted that Kiev guarantee the security of TurkStream, the primary remaining alternative gas supply route to Hungary. Earlier this month, Ukrainian drones targeted a compressor station in Russia linked to the pipeline.
The PM emphasized that Hungary’s oil supply routes must also be safeguarded against similar attacks.
In the wake of the escalated Ukraine conflict in 2022 and the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage, the EU has focused on reducing dependence on Russian energy resources. Several member states have voluntarily ceased importing Russian gas, while others have maintained their purchases. Additionally, some nations are using Russian liquefied natural gas, which has only been partially impacted by sanctions.
Ukraine's decision not to extend a five-year transit agreement with Russia at the end of 2024 has effectively severed Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Italy, and Moldova from access to Russian piped natural gas.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
