Hungary opposes EU's Russian energy ban, tensions rise
The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, expressed strong opposition to the European Union's proposed ban on importing Russian energy resources. In a Friday address on state radio, the head of the Hungarian government stated that such restrictions should be countered "by all means," arguing based on his country's energy interests.
Hungary, like Slovakia, remains dependent on supplies of Russian oil and gas. Prime Minister Orbán, known for his pro-Russian sympathies, presented a controversial view within the European political context on the ban, which aims to limit funding for Russia's war in Ukraine.
In his statement, the Hungarian Prime Minister emphasized the need to stop Ukraine's efforts to impose a complete ban on the supply of Russian gas to Europe. "We must prevent it by all means. Because there is no point in having a pipeline if we are not allowed to bring any gas through it," Orbán argued during the morning radio broadcast.
Challenges for European energy policy
The stance of the Hungarian Prime Minister clearly contradicts the direction of energy policy from the majority of European Union countries. Since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Community has consistently sought to free itself from Russian resources, viewing them as a tool of Moscow's political influence and a source of funding for military actions.
Hungary remains one of the few EU member states that openly oppose tightening sanctions against Russia in the energy sector. The country previously received special exemptions from certain restrictions regarding the import of Russian oil, arguing this due to its geographical location and lack of access to alternative supply sources.
The Hungarian Prime Minister's statement may further complicate the already tense relations between Budapest and Brussels. The European Commission has repeatedly expressed concern over Orbán's pro-Russian stance, which undermines the EU's unity on policy toward Russia and support for Ukraine.
Implications for European energy security
Hungary's opposition to the ban on importing Russian energy casts doubt on the effectiveness of the EU's policy to diversify supply sources. The dependence of some member states on Russian resources remains a significant challenge for building a common energy strategy for the EU.
Experts suggest that maintaining supplies from Russia by some countries may weaken the effectiveness of the sanctions imposed by the Community. At the same time, they emphasize that a complete cut-off from importing Russian energy without ensuring alternative sources could lead to serious economic problems in countries like Hungary or Slovakia.
The position expressed by Prime Minister Orbán shows that despite more than two years of war in Ukraine, there are still discrepancies within the European Union regarding the approach to economic relations with Russia. The issue of importing Russian energy remains one of the most contentious topics in the Community's foreign policy and energy security discussions.
