“Ukraine is our enemy.” Orban: We don't want Kiev in the EU

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized Ukraine for demanding that the European Union stop imports of Russian energy and called it an “enemy” of his country. Budapest had previously filed a complaint to the CJEU against the EU plan aimed at making the Community independent of Russian fuels.

Speaking at a rally in the city of Szombathely on Saturday, Orban criticized Ukraine for appealing to the EU to stop imports of cheap Russian energy. – Anyone who says so is an enemy of Hungary, so Ukraine is our enemy – said the Hungarian Prime Minister.

Orban also referred to Kiev's efforts to join the EU, emphasizing that although Hungary should cooperate with Ukraine as its neighbor, Kiev should never join the Community.

On January 26, EU countries finally approved the ban on imports of Russian gas, which is to enter into force in 2027. The new regulations provide for the suspension of imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) until the end of 2026, and gas supplied via pipelines – until September 30, 2027. The majority of member states supported the adoption of the regulations. Hungary and Slovakia voted against.

Last Monday, February 2, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced a complaint to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) against the EU's REPowerEU plan, which aims to make the Community independent of Russian fossil fuels.

Szijjarto argued in justification for his government's decision that Hungary “without Russian oil and gas cannot guarantee energy security or keep energy costs low for Hungarian families.”

According to data from the International Monetary Fund, in 2024, 74 percent Hungarian gas resources came from Russia, and in the case of oil it was 86 percent. Compared to 2018, there was a significant increase – then gas imported from Russia accounted for 64%. Hungary's resources, and oil – 66 percent.

Jakub Bawołek from Budapest (PAP)

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