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Budapest approved the extension of EU sanctions against Russia at the last minute after reaching an agreement to address its concerns about energy security.
Hungary agreed to support the sanctions only after the European Union promised to consider the country’s energy security. On the morning of 27 January, EU ambassadors will convene an emergency meeting to formalise the agreement. The final word will be given to EU foreign ministers, who will meet in Brussels immediately afterwards.
According to Politico, the decision was the result of pressure from allies, including Poland and other EU countries.
Against the backdrop of Hungarian blackmail, there were harsh statements:
- Over the weekend,Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv is ready to supply Azerbaijani gas to Hungary and Slovakia, provided that the Kremlin does not benefit from it.
- Turkey also offered to replace Ukraine as a transit country.
European leaders also criticised the Hungarian position.
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk sharply condemned Budapest’s position:“If Orban blocks European sanctions, it will prove that he is playing on Putin’s side, not on the team of Europe.”
- One EU diplomat said:“Hungary is playing with fire, planting a bomb in transatlantic relations.”
