Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that he will veto the extension of EU sanctions against Russia if Brussels does not help resume the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine, which was suspended on January 1, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Kiev stopped the transit of Russian gas after the contract with Moscow expired and refused to negotiate a new agreement. As a result, gas prices in Central Europe rose, which Orban described as “unacceptable“.
The continuation of European sanctions against Russia requires unanimous approval by EU member states every six months. Orban said that if gas supplies via Ukraine are not restored, Hungary will block the next vote to extend the sanctions.
“One of the things the European Commission promised is to settle with the Ukrainians the issue of resuming the transit of Russian gas“, the Hungarian prime minister said. “If that does not happen, the sanctions will be lifted“, he warned.
Despite the threat, the EU managed to extend sanctions against Russia on Monday after Hungary waived its veto in exchange for a declaration of guarantees for its energy security. The European Commission said it was ready to continue consultations with Ukraine on gas supplies to Europe.
Although Russian gas currently reaches Hungary mainly through “Turkish Stream“, Orban stressed that the Ukrainian route remains important for his country.