Hungary Threatens to Block New EU Sanctions Package Against Russia Over Oil Pipeline Dispute

Budapest. Hungary on Sunday threatened to block the European Union's latest package of sanctions against Russia.

"Unless Ukraine reopens the pipeline supplying petroleum to Hungary, we will block the latest package of EU sanctions," the Hungarian Prime Minister said on Sunday.

"Hungary has no support for the sanctions; the 20th sanctions package announced by the EU against Russia will be rejected," Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wrote on X.

"Unless Ukraine resumes oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline, we will not allow important decisions for Kyiv to move forward," said Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó in a message posted on X.

Ukraine stated that the Druzhba pipeline, which crosses its territory to deliver Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary, was damaged by the Russian attack on January 27.

In early February, the EU proposed new sanctions against Russia. This is the EU's 20th package since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, targeting the banking and energy sectors.

The European Commission also wants to activate its trade defense instrument. Citing a high risk of these products being re-exported to Russia, the EU wants to ban the export of all machine tools and radio equipment for the first time.

All 27 member states of the EU must give their approval before the new sanctions can take effect.