Hungary Condemns Ukraine’s Plan to Stop Russian Energy Transit
Hungary’s Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, has spoken out against a Ukrainian parliamentary bill that would suspend the transit of Russian oil and gas through Ukraine during martial law. In a Facebook post on January 8, Szijjarto called this measure “unacceptable”.
He pointed out that Hungary, as an EU member state, has a say in decisions about new members joining the bloc. This means that each country must vote in favor for a new member to be admitted. Szijjarto emphasized Hungary’s influence over Ukraine’s EU aspirations.
The Ukrainian bill was submitted on January 7 by former President Petro Poroshenko and members of the opposition European Solidarity party. It would ban Russian energy transit through Ukrainian territory. However, Ukraine had already decided not to renew its gas transit deal with Russia beyond December 31, 2024.
Szijjarto argued that Ukraine has obligations under its EU association agreement to support the bloc’s energy security by maintaining transportation routes. He claimed that closing these routes would harm Hungary and violate EU expectations for Ukraine’s integration.
Hungary remains heavily reliant on Russian gas purchased through Gazprombank, which is under Western sanctions. Szijjarto accused Ukraine of exacerbating Europe’s economic challenges by halting transit, allegedly leading to a rise in gas prices on the EU market.
Hungary has previously drawn criticism for its Moscow-friendly stance, including blocking sanctions against Russia and aid to Ukraine. Szijjarto continues to visit Russia during the war, setting Hungary apart from other EU nations in its approach to the conflict.
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