The head of the Hungarian government argued that the situation on the energy market requires an immediate response. — The blockade of oil supplies by Ukraine and the war in the Middle East caused a sharp increase in oil prices, also in Hungary. Europe must review and lift all sanctions imposed on Russian energy, Orban said in a video posted on Facebook. In response to the escalation of fuel prices, he called an extraordinary government meeting.
Why is Viktor Orban calling for the lifting of energy sanctions?
What are the consequences of Ukraine's blocking of oil supplies?
What do the Ukrainian authorities say about the damaged Druzhba pipeline?
What actions is the Hungarian government planning in response to the increase in energy prices?
Budapest wants to prevent further increases in the costs of diesel and gasoline. Orban attacked the authorities in Kiev, claiming that the oil blockade imposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky constitutes the most serious threat not only to Hungary and Slovakia, but also to the entire European Union. The dispute between the capitals of both countries has been going on for years and is regularly escalating.
Damaged pipeline and mutual accusations
Another escalation of the conflict occurred at the end of January, when the Druzhba pipeline transporting Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia was damaged in a Russian attack. The authorities in Kiev assure that they are carrying out renovation works on the infrastructure, but the government in Budapest takes a different position. The Hungarian side maintains that the Ukrainian authorities are deliberately blocking the restoration of transit and describes these actions as blackmail.
The President of Ukraine announced on Thursday that the pipeline will be ready for operation in about a month and a half. The Hungarian government reacted to this declaration by blocking the 20th package of European Union sanctions against Russia. Budapest is also suspending an EU loan for Kiev worth EUR 90 billion. The Hungarian authorities announced that they would maintain their position until oil transport through Ukraine is resumed.
