Hungary has called on the European Union to reconsider its sanctions on Russian energy imports, warning that current policies could trigger sharp increases in fuel prices across the continent. The appeal followed a meeting of the country’s National Council for Defense and Energy Security, convened by Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
The emergency session addressed mounting pressures on global oil markets, with officials citing Middle East tensions and disruptions to the Druzhba oil pipeline through Ukraine as key factors behind the recent surge in crude prices.
Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that Hungary believes the EU should immediately allow Russian fuel suppliers to return to the European market. He warned that maintaining existing sanctions could cause a substantial rise in energy costs, affecting both businesses and households across Europe. According to Szijjarto, continued restrictions on Russian oil and gas imports could have severe consequences for the European economy, with higher energy costs driving price increases across multiple sectors.
PM Orban also raised the issue directly with the European Commission, sending a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling for the suspension of all sanctions on Russian energy imports. He argued that such action would help stabilize crude oil prices in Hungary and across the EU.
Hungarian authorities stressed that the combination of geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions has already pushed oil prices upward, posing a significant economic risk for the entire European bloc.
