Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that the European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia can only be extended if Ukraine meets three conditions, including restoring the transit of Russian gas to Central Europe, stopping attacks on the TurkStream gas pipeline and ensuring continued oil transit through its territory.
In an interview with Kossuth radio, Mr Orban stressed that he had warned EU leaders: "If Ukraine wants to receive support, including maintaining sanctions against Russia, it must act reasonably."
The three conditions he put forward for Ukraine were: Restore Russian gas transit to Central Europe; Stop using military measures to attack the TurkStream gas pipeline; Do not embargo Russian oil supplies through Ukrainian territory to Europe.
Mr Orban warned that if Ukraine did not meet these conditions, sanctions against Russia, which are due to be extended on January 31, would not be renewed. For sanctions to continue, the EU needs the consensus of all 27 members, while Hungary has warned it will veto them.
The Hungarian Prime Minister criticized Kiev for increasing energy prices in the European market, seriously affecting countries in the region. "If Ukraine did not interfere in our affairs, energy prices would not be as high as they are now and gasoline prices would not be so expensive," Mr. Orban affirmed.
He also stressed that the EU's sanctions policy has not achieved its original objectives but has caused serious damage to member states. According to Hungary's estimates, the country has lost about 19 billion euros due to the sanctions alone.
Mr Orban said that by January 31, the EU will have to decide whether to extend sanctions against Russia for another six months. Mr Orban expressed strong opposition to EU leaders, stressing that: "The policy of sanctions cannot continue if it only brings damage to ourselves."
The Hungarian Prime Minister called on the EU to review its sanctions strategy, asserting that maintaining an ineffective policy only harms member states without achieving its original goal of putting pressure on Russia.
If all 27 EU members fail to reach a consensus by January 31, the sanctions against Russia will expire.
