Hungary Demands Conditions for EU Sanction Renewal Against Russia

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stated that the country will only support the extension of European Union sanctions against Russia if the EU exerts pressure on Ukraine to resume gas transit from Russia. This announcement comes ahead of an impending EU vote on the sanctions, which are set to expire at the end of January. The situation has been exacerbated by Ukraine's recent decision to block the transit of Russian gas through its pipeline network to Hungary.

In a recent interview, Orban highlighted the significant financial impact of the sanctions on Hungary, claiming the nation has incurred losses amounting to approximately EUR19 billion (around $20 billion). He expressed frustration over the continuation of these sanctions, suggesting that the current state of affairs is unsustainable.

Orban urged EU officials to engage with Ukrainian authorities, emphasizing the need for the restoration of gas transit from Russia to Europe via Ukrainian pipelines. The flow of gas was halted on January 1 after Ukraine chose not to renew its agreement with Gazprom, the Russian state-owned gas company.

Orban criticized Ukraine's actions, stating that they have created obstacles related to transit fees and gas deliveries, which he claims have significantly contributed to the rising energy prices in Hungary. He called for urgent communication with Ukrainian leaders to resolve these issues and restore the flow of gas.

Furthermore, the Hungarian Prime Minister insisted that Ukraine must ensure the safety of the TurkStream pipeline, which remains a critical gas supply route for Hungary. Recently, this pipeline was reportedly targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks directed at a compressor station in Russia.

Orban also highlighted the necessity of safeguarding oil supply routes to Hungary from similar threats. Following the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022 and the subsequent sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, the EU has made it a priority to reduce its dependence on Russian energy supplies. While some member states have voluntarily ceased imports of Russian gas, others continue to rely on it, including purchasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia, which has faced only partial sanctions.

Ukraine's decision not to extend a five-year transit agreement with Russia at the end of 2024 has resulted in a significant reduction in gas supplies to several countries, including Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Italy, and Moldova, effectively cutting them off from Russian piped natural gas.