Orban: Hungary will block EU Russia sanctions the next time, unless Ukraine gas is transited again.
Hungarian Prime Minster Viktor Orban warned on Friday that he would block the next rollover in EU sanctions against Russia, unless Brussels helped achieve a restart of Russian Gas Transit via Ukraine which was stopped on January 1.
Orban said on state radio that Ukraine's decision to stop Russian gas transit into Central Europe, and the price hike that resulted from it, was "unacceptable".
The transit agreement expired, and Russian gas exports through pipelines in Ukraine ceased. Kyiv has refused to negotiate another transit agreement as the war against Russia's invasion enters its third year.
Orban stated that "that Ukraine is unwilling to let Russian Gas through its territory in order for it to reach Central Europe and raises the gas price... This is unacceptable."
He added that this was the reason why Hungary asked for EU assurances on its energy security last week.
Orban said that Hungary will veto any further rollovers of sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russia for the war if the gas flow does not resume.
Orban stated that the Commission had promised, among other things to help the Ukrainians restart the Russian gas transit. If the Commission fails to deliver what we agreed, sanctions will be scrapped.
The EU on Monday
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After Hungary stopped blocking renewal, the United States lifted its sanctions in exchange for a statement on energy security.
In line with Ukraine's obligations, the Commission stated that it was "ready" to continue the discussions with Ukraine regarding the supply of gas to Europe via the Ukraine gas pipeline system. The Commission is willing to include Hungary (alongside Slovakia) in this process.
Orban's remarks were not immediately addressed by the Commission.
Every six months, the sanctions must be approved by all EU members.
Orban claims that Ukraine is the source of Hungary's Russian gas supply, but Turkstream, the pipeline in the south, supplies it.
It is important for Hungary. (Reporting and editing by Jason Neely, Kevin Liffey and Anita Komuves)
(source: Reuters)
