The European Union’s sixth package of sanctions on Russia has passed, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó noted on Thursday, after the ambassadors of EU member states approved the final draft of the text. The package exempts pipeline deliveries of Russian oil from the embargo.
In a Facebook post, Szijjártó said “it was a long fight but it was worth … [resisting] pressure and the mainstream’s demand that we abandon our national interests, and it was worth enduring the false accusations of many European politicians and journalists.”
The package exempts pipeline deliveries of Russian oil from the embargo, which will ensure Hungary’s energy security, Szijjártó said. “Had we not fought the way we did, supplying Hungary with crude oil would have become impossible and the economy would have ground to a halt.”
Meanwhile,
Hungary also succeeded in having Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox church, removed from the sanctions list,
he said. “This was a matter of principle for us as we insist on protecting religious freedom as much as national interests,” he said. “It would be terrible to imagine the processes launched by sanctioning the leader of one of the largest Christian churches in Europe,” he said.
Read alsoKovács to BBC: EU decision on oil embargo a win for common sense
Source: MTI
3 Comments
For all the companies I deal with who come to Hungary or have expansion plans, there is always the tricky matter of geopolitical risk (and, yes, Mr. Orbán features prominently and regularly). It’s important – because it is about continuity (or even survival).
Our Politicians appear to have zero (0) regard when it comes to geopolitical risk. Just lots of self serving, populist, nationalist, “we are under attack” hot air to deflect from the fact that there was never any Plan B for energy security. None. AND we were warned. For years. “Protect Hungary!” – from who or what, exactly?
Hungary – Sovereign and Dependent. Mr. Putin’s Trojan Horse in the EU.
Every government’s main duty is to ensure the well being of its people. This seemed to have been ignored by Western EU governments. The EU’s support of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, impoverished its EU population. Countries like Germany that imports oil/gas and food will be hit the hardest. The price of both food and oil/gas are rising and inflation is becoming unmanageable. The people of EU are paying a high price for a war non of their making. Ukrainian cities are destroyed, the farmers are unable to tend their crops, about 5 million people have left the country and the death toll keeps rising. It is time to encourage Ukraine and Russia to settle on a peace treaty.
Most pro EU supporters are annoyed at Hungary. Hungary had nor has any other choice than to protect its energy supply. On the other hand, Hungary does accept and protect Ukrainian refugees. Well done FIDESZ Government, Mr. Szijjarto and Mr. Orban.
@mariavontheresa you entirely correct: “Hungary had nor has any other choice” – that’s the definition of “dependent”. In our case – dependent on the Kremlin