Hungarian oil import in danger? Poland proposes fresh EU sanctions against Russia

Earlier this month Poland presented a proposal for a new range of sanctions against Russia. According to the new EU sanctions, shipments arriving via the Druzhba crude oil pipeline would also be affected. This could have a serious impact on Hungarian crude oil imports. 

Proposal for new EU sanctions against Russia

Poland’s newly designed proposal includes a ban on pipeline oil and diamond imports, reports Reuters. In addition, they would roll out restrictions against Rosatom. The written proposal, which a diplomatic source claimed was handed over to the EU’s executive European Commission, could determine further sanction negotiations between the 27 countries. In order to impose the new sanctions, every Member State must agree. This is not the first set of sanctions the EU introduced to immobilise Russia. The bloc has already launched ten rounds of punitive measures against Russia since Moscow fully invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Hungary has regularly vetoed the sanctions, therefore, the country is expected to object to them, again.

Warsaw’s proposal would cease Russian crude oil imports to Drus

If the Polish proposal goes through, no crude oil will arrive in Drus through the Druzhba crude oil pipeline. However, this sanction could also threaten Hungary’s crude oil imports. In theory, Hungarians can use their veto power in the case of the Friendship oil pipeline and if Hungarian shipments are affected, which have been exempted for the time being until 2024.

EU: an 11th sanctions package may arrive

EU leader Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission would introduce an 11th sanctions package. It would focus on combating the circumvention of existing restrictions, particularly on the export of parts and equipment used by Russia on the battlefield against Ukraine. Although it is forbidden to transport most technological devices from Western countries to Russia, neighboring countries – such as Georgia, Kazakhstan, and even Turkey acted as mediators in the deals. Therefore, this new sanction package would try to put an end to this.

Hungary opposes the sanctions imposed on Russian nuclear energy

Another highly debated topic is Russian nuclear energy. Both Germany and Lithuania support the nuclear energy sanctions and are ready to propose this package of measures to the EU. However, existing cooperation agreements would be exempted, so Hungary and France could continue trading with Russia as long as there is no new agreement in place, writes Portfolio. So far, Hungary has opposed the sanctions imposed on Russian nuclear energy. Last week, the country issued a statement that it had agreed to amend its contract with Russia’s Rosatom regarding the expansion of the Paks nuclear power plant.

Read also:

• Hungary, Serbia preparing to build new oil pipeline
• Still not enough? Ryanair fined for another EUR 530,000 in Hungary