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Hungary blocks EU sanctions package over halted Ukrainian oil deliveries
Hungary will block the adoption of the European Union’s 20th sanctions package until Ukraine resumes crude oil deliveries to the country, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced following a meeting of the Energy Security Council in Budapest.
According to the minister, Ukraine decided this week not to restart oil shipments towards Hungary, a move he described as “clear political blackmail”.
Budapest ties support for new sanctions to energy security
Szijjártó argued that the suspension was aimed at creating both fuel shortages and sharply higher prices in Hungary ahead of parliamentary elections. He claimed Kyiv hoped to push for a more Ukraine-friendly government in Budapest.
“We made it clear that as long as oil deliveries are not resumed, we will block decisions that are important for Ukraine,” he said.
As a result, Hungary plans to veto the sanctions package at the upcoming meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
Government releases reserves and halts diesel exports
To avoid supply disruptions, the government has released part of Hungary’s strategic oil reserves and begun sourcing replacement shipments by sea, which are already on their way.
Szijjártó added that Hungary has also suspended diesel fuel exports to Ukraine, which previously accounted for around 10% of the country’s diesel imports. Budapest has furthermore decided to block the disbursement of a proposed EUR 90 billion military loan for Kyiv.
Electricity supply handled ‘with caution’
The minister said the Energy Security Council also reviewed electricity exports. Nearly half of Ukraine’s imported electricity currently comes from Hungary, he noted.
However, he stressed that cutting power supplies must be treated carefully, as ethnic Hungarians live across the border in Zakarpattia Oblast. Halting electricity exports would primarily affect families there.
“Our dispute is not with the Ukrainian people or families living there,” Szijjártó said. “Our dispute is with the Ukrainian state, the government and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. We do not want to cause further suffering.”
Despite this, he reiterated that Hungary would not support the sanctions package until oil transit towards Hungary resumes.
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Orban got his orders from Putin as he always does. He is Russia’s main stooge and works tirelessly to undermine Europe and promote Russia. If he had his way the Russians would be occupying all of Eastern Europe. Hungarians have their chance on April 12th to decide whether they wish to be a Russian puppet state or be a European nation. Should Fidesz win that election my advice to young people is to emigrate because there is no future for you under the new Kadar.