Hungary Sets Condition for Extending EU Sanctions Against Russia: What Budapest Demands

Hungary has put forward a condition for extending EU sanctions against Russia: what Budapest demands Nadezhda Batyuk

Next week, EU foreign ministers will consider the issue of extending sanctions against Russia. Hungary threatens to block the decision if the EU does not meet its condition.

Budapest also stated that in the future it is no longer possible to pay “for someone else's war and at the same time turn a blind eye to the risks to energy security.” This was reported by 24 Channel with reference to the head of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Peter Szijjarto.

What condition did Hungary put forward

The head of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Ukraine and the EU must provide guarantees for the country's “energy security”.

Ukraine and/or the EU must provide guarantees that in the future there will be no obstacles to gas and oil supplies to Hungary, says Szijjarto.

He notes that he also outlined Budapest's position to the head of the European diplomacy Kaja Kallas during a telephone conversation with her. Szijjarto adds that there is no need to convince Hungary, but it is worth “getting guarantees from the Ukrainians.”

Recall that from January 1, 2025, Ukraine stopped the transit of Russian gas to Europe. Such actions caused discontent in Hungary. In particular, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban threatens to take retaliatory measures.

The politician also opposes Ukraine's rapid accession to the EU and NATO, because he believes that this threatens Hungary with economic problems and could cause a conflict between the North Atlantic Alliance and Russia.