Hungary urges EU action on gas conflict with Ukraine

BUDAPEST, Hungary — On Friday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressed his desire for the European Union to take action regarding a gas dispute between Hungary and Ukraine. This request highlights potential tensions ahead of the bloc’s discussions concerning the renewal of sanctions against Russia.

During an interview on state radio, Orbán stated that Ukraine’s move to halt the transit of Russian gas into Central Europe via the Brotherhood pipeline has forced Hungary to seek alternative energy routes, subsequently driving up energy costs.

Furthermore, he mentioned that EU sanctions imposed on Russia due to its ongoing conflict with Ukraine have resulted in a financial blow to Hungary, estimating the cost at 19 billion euros (approximately $20 billion) since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. However, he did not provide details on how this figure was determined.

Orbán criticized Ukraine, saying, “It’s no good that we pay for the economic consequences of sanctions to help Ukraine while they turn around and mess with us.” This comment referenced Ukraine’s choice to let a previous transit agreement with Russia lapse at the close of 2024.

Although natural gas prices sharply increased earlier this year after the expiration of Ukraine’s transit contract with Russia, an upswing in liquefied natural gas shipments to Europe has led to fluctuating prices.

With the EU set to consider renewing sanctions against Moscow in the coming week—decisions that demand consensus from all 27 member nations—Hungary has indicated it might exercise a veto to impede these measures.

Orbán, who is seen as maintaining the closest ties to the Kremlin among EU leaders, has long voiced opposition to EU sanctions against Russia, though he has consistently eventually voted in favor of them. However, in the wake of the recent inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, Orbán has been more vocal in calling for an end to such sanctions, hinting that he might block the upcoming round, which is slated for a decision by January 31.

He declared, “The question of extending the sanctions is now on the agenda, and I pulled the handbrake and asked European leaders to understand that this cannot be continued. It is not possible that Hungary will pay the price of the sanctions in this proportion.”

Orbán also requested that EU partners assist in persuading Ukraine to restore the gas pipeline, emphasizing Hungary’s need for assurances that Ukraine will continue the transit of Russian oil into Hungary, which he argued poses a “serious risk” to the nation.