Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday that it will block the adoption of the 20th sanctions package by the European Union against Russia.
The statement was made by Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó following a meeting of the Energy Security Council. Szijjártó argued that the EU should maintain the blockage until Ukraine repairs the Druzhba oil pipeline — reportedly damaged in a Russian attack — and resumes oil supplies to Hungary.
He emphasized that the disruption of supplies would heavily impact the Hungarian population and civilians in the Transcarpathia region, urging caution in decision-making.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán confirmed that oil distribution services, interrupted earlier this week, would not resume. He also rejected EU support for a proposed €90 billion loan package for Ukraine.
For its part, Ukraine condemned what it described as “ultimatums and blackmail” from the Hungarian and Slovak governments. Meanwhile, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned that if oil supplies to Slovakia are not restored by Monday, his government would halt emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine.
The situation underscores growing tensions in Central Europe over energy security and the broader impact of sanctions on regional stability.
