BUDAPEST, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Hungary will block the European Union's next package of sanctions against Russia, the foreign minister said on Sunday, the latest step aimed at pushing Ukraine to resume
Hungary vows to block EU's 20th Russia sanctions amid pipeline row
BUDAPEST, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Hungary will block the European Union's next package of sanctions against Russia, the foreign minister said on Sunday, the latest step aimed at pushing Ukraine to resume the flow of Russian oil through a pipeline supplying Hungarian refineries.
Druzhba Pipeline Disruption
Shipments of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline have been cut off since January 27, when Kyiv said a Russian drone strike hit pipeline equipment in Western Ukraine. Slovakia and Hungary say Ukraine is to blame for the prolonged outage.
Key Dates: Jan 27 & Feb 22
Impact on Hungary and Slovakia
The EU is currently preparing its 20th sanctions package against Russia over the war in Ukraine. While negotiations are ongoing, many member countries would like to agree the package in time for the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, on Tuesday.
Foreign Affairs Council Timeline
"At tomorrow's Foreign Affairs Council, the EU aims to adopt the 20th sanctions package. Hungary will block it," Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on the X platform.
Condition for Lifting Block
"Until Ukraine resumes oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline, we will not allow decisions important to Kyiv to move forward," Szijjarto said in the post.
EU Energy Dispute and Sanctions Standoff
DEEPENING DISPUTE
The issue has caused one of the angriest disputes yet between Ukraine and neighbouring Hungary and Slovakia. Both countries are EU and NATO members, but their leaders have bucked the largely pro-Ukrainian consensus in Europe to cultivate warm ties with Moscow.
Budapest's Veto of €90bn Ukraine Loan
On Friday, Szijjarto said Hungary would block a 90-billion-euro ($106 billion) EU loan for Ukraine to fund its defence against Russia until the Druzhba shipments resumed. The EU needs to amend its budget law to unlock the loan - a step requiring unanimous backing.
Threats to Cut Power Supplies
Hungary and Slovakia have also threatened to stop electricity supplies to Ukraine over the issue.
Kyiv's Response
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as "ultimatums and blackmail" by the Hungarian and Slovak governments on Saturday.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Gergely Szakacs;Additional reporting by Andrew Gray and Lili Bayer;Editing by Helen Popper)
