Hungary Blocks EU Sanctions On Russia Ahead Of Anniversary

Reuters

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Hungary maintained its veto on Monday against new European Union sanctions on Russia and a major loan package for Ukraine, as tensions between Kyiv and Budapest risked further deterioration following a Ukrainian strike on infrastructure linked to the Druzhba pipeline.

The diplomatic focus shifted to Brussels, where EU foreign ministers sought to persuade Hungary and Slovakia to withdraw threats to penalise Ukraine over delays in restoring the flow of Russian oil through the Soviet-era pipeline.

An overnight drone strike claimed by Kyiv caused a fire at a pumping station located more than 1,200 kilometres from the Russia-Ukraine border, potentially aggravating already strained relations. Ukrainian authorities did not provide details regarding the broader impact on pipeline operations.

Kyiv has stated that the Druzhba pipeline — which continues to transport Russian oil via Ukrainian territory to parts of Europe — was damaged a month ago by a Russian drone strike and is undergoing repairs. Slovakia and Hungary, home to the EU’s only two refineries still reliant on oil delivered through Druzhba, have blamed Ukraine for the delays.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Ukraine — which on Tuesday marks the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion — reported a rare frontline advance. However, Moscow continued its campaign of drone strikes against Ukrainian cities, with two people killed in attacks in the south of the country.

"It is up to Ukraine, whether it restarts shipments on the pipeline or not, it is increasingly clear that we are facing open political blackmail here," Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban told parliament in Budapest. "The Hungarian government does not give in to any blackmail."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X that Hungary and Slovakia should not be allowed to "hold the entire EU hostage" and called on them to "engage in constructive cooperation and responsible behaviour".

Hungary and Slovakia both have leaders who have bucked the European consensus by maintaining close relations with Moscow, but have previously stopped short of blocking EU sanctions on Russia or loans to Ukraine.

In a letter seen by Reuters, Orban told European Council chief Antonio Costa the pipeline outage was an "unprovoked act of hostility that undermines the energy security of Hungary" and vowed to block a 90-billion-euro ($106 billion) loan until it was solved. Hungary has also blocked the latest sanctions package on Russia.

Hungary and Slovakia also threatened to stop emergency electricity exports to Ukraine unless oil shipments resume. Slovakia had set a Monday deadline, though exports were continuing, according to data from transmission system operator SEPS.

Source: Reuters



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