Budapest is shaking things up in the European Union, threatening to block a crucial new round of sanctions against Russia and stall vital aid for Ukraine. The reason? Hungary says it won’t budge until Russian oil deliveries to its country resume.
EU foreign ministers are gearing up to meet, hoping to approve the 20th package of sanctions against Moscow, timed to coincide with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has made it clear: no oil, no sanctions approval. He accuses Ukraine of deliberately holding back Russian oil flowing through the Druzhba pipeline.
However, Ukrainian officials have a different story, claiming Russian drone attacks damaged the pipeline back in January, interrupting shipments to Hungary and Slovakia. This has created a tense standoff between Budapest and Kyiv.
Why is this such a big deal? For EU sanctions to pass, all 27 member nations must agree unanimously. And Hungary, unlike most of Europe, has maintained – and even increased – its reliance on Russian energy, receiving special exemptions from EU policies. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán argues that his economy depends on it, a stance that often creates friction with other EU leaders.
Beyond sanctions, Hungary is also threatening to block a massive €90 billion EU loan designed to support Ukraine’s military and economic needs. This ongoing tension highlights Hungary’s unique position within the EU and its often-contrarian approach to the war in Ukraine. The clock is ticking as Europe grapples with this critical energy and political dispute.
