Hungary defies EU with opposition to Russian energy ban
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, Orbán asserted that such restrictions should be countered "by all means," arguing this based on Hungary's energy interests.
Hungary, like Slovakia, still depends on Russian oil and gas supplies. 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, Orbán emphasized the need to stop Ukraine's efforts to completely ban 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," he argued during the morning radio broadcast.
Challenges for European energy policy
The stance of the Hungarian Prime Minister clearly contradicts the direction of the energy policy from the majority of European Union countries. Since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU 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 openly opposing tighter sanctions against Russia in the energy sector. The country previously received special exemptions from certain restrictions regarding the import of Russian oil, arguing this was due to its geographical location and lack of access to alternative supply sources.
The Hungarian Prime Minister's statement may further complicate 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 EU. 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 and Slovakia.
The position expressed by Prime Minister Orbán illustrates that despite more than two years of war in Ukraine, discrepancies remain within the European Union regarding the approach to economic relations with Russia. The issue of importing Russian energy continues to be one of the most contentious topics in the EU's foreign policy and energy security discussions.
