EU awaits Hungarian election before punching Putin in the face with a new ban, FM Szijjártó claims

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó underscored energy supply challenges at a conference organised by the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MKIK) on Tuesday. He also talked about an EU plan concerning Russian crude and the Hungarian election.

EU will not introduce new ban until election outcome is known

Szijjártó noted the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on global oil supply and said the situation for Europe was exacerbated by the political decision to phase out Russian crude imports. He said decision-makers in Brussels could roll back that measure, on the basis of “economic rationality“, but added that would run counter to their plans to table a full ban on imports of Russian crude on April 15, three days after Hungary’s election.

If the current government remains in power, Szijjártó said it would fight against the ban on Russian crude, adding that Hungary’s access to that cheap Urals oil was key to keeping household utilities bills affordable.

Hungary’s government has managed crises in the past 15 years by adopting its own measures, rather than “standardised” European-level policies, and has emerged the better for it, he said.

“Sovereign decision-making must be maintained, regardless of which dilemma may come. For us, a Hungarian answer must be delivered, based on the national interest,” he added.