Hungary urges resumption of Ukraine's gas transit as EU prepares to extend sanctions

Reuters reports the information.

According to the outlet, Hungary remains undecided on supporting the EU's sanctions renewal, which requires unanimous approval from all 27 members every six months.

Orban, known for fostering closer ties with Moscow than other EU nations, criticized the sanctions, claiming they cost Hungary €19 billion ($19.9 billion), though he did not explain the calculation.

"Now the issue of the rollover of the sanctions is on the agenda and I have pulled the brakes and asked EU leaders to understand this cannot continue," Orban told state radio.

"This is not good that we pay the price of helping Ukraine ... and they cause us problems," Orban said, citing Ukraine's halt of Russian gas transit on the Druzhba pipeline.

"We ask them to convince Ukraine to resume the gas transit," Orban added that Budapest seeks guarantees Ukraine won't stop Russian crude imports.

EU foreign ministers will decide on the sanctions rollover Monday, with Hungary signaling a major debate and plans to consult U.S. partners soon. 

In December 2023, Orban delayed EU aid to Ukraine for weeks. While Western Europe has reduced reliance on Russian energy, landlocked Hungary still gets 80% of its gas and most crude from Russia via TurkStream. The EU has frozen billions in funds to Budapest over democratic concerns.