The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, has put forward conditions for Ukraine to extend EU sanctions against Russia, which expire next week. In particular, Ukraine must restore the transit of Russian gas and guarantee the uninterrupted transit of oil. About this informs 24.hu.
“If you want help, then open the gas route again,” Orban said.
However, Hungary has been receiving Russian gas through Turkish Stream for several years, which provides the country’s energy needs and allows it to help Slovakia. However, according to him, the actions of Ukraine allegedly contribute to the increase in gasoline prices in Hungary. Orbán added that sanctions against Russia have already cost the Hungarian economy 19 billion euros, and this situation is unacceptable.
He called on European leaders to abandon the further extension of sanctions, noting that support for Ukraine cannot lead to the closure of gas routes.
“I hit the handbrake and asked European leaders to understand that this cannot continue”, the prime minister noted.
European sanctions, which are due to be extended until the end of December, include economic restrictions and asset freezes. Their extension requires the unanimous approval of all 27 EU member states. Orban has long criticized the European Union for the fact that, in his opinion, Brussels focuses more on supporting Ukraine than on taking into account the interests of the countries of Central Europe, in particular Hungary.
