Hungary Blocks EU’s 20th Russia Sanctions Package Over Pipeline Dispute Ahead of War Anniversary

EU countries are unlikely to reach agreement on a new sanctions package against Russia at the February 23 foreign ministers’ meeting due to Hungary’s continued resistance, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, according to Reuters.

Speaking ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council, Kallas told reporters that it had become clear a consensus would not be achieved on the proposed 20th sanctions package, which several member states had hoped to adopt in time for the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022.

Hungary has confirmed that it will block the measures, with country’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announcing on X on February 22 that “Hungary will block” the package, linking Budapest’s position to a dispute over Russian oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Ukrainian territory.

Shipments to Hungary and Slovakia have been suspended since January 27, when Ukraine said a Russian drone strike damaged pipeline equipment in western Ukraine. Budapest and Bratislava argue Ukraine is responsible for the continued disruption.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine spokesperson, Heorhii Tykhyi, said the Russian attack damaged “critical equipment” and made pumping impossible, adding that Hungary was informed of the cause the same day.

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He described Budapest’s behavior as illogical, saying Hungary had not publicly made a clear attribution that Russia struck the pipeline while statements blaming Ukraine were now being voiced.

“Until Ukraine resumes oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline, we will not allow decisions important to Kyiv to move forward,” Szijjártó said. In a separate post on February 23, he added: “We will not give in to blackmail,” describing Ukraine’s stance as “purely political.”

Szijjártó had also previously reiterated that Hungary would oppose Ukraine’s access to a $106 billion war loan that was previously approved by the EU, until Ukraine resumes oil shipments throught the Druzhba pipeline.

Earlier, Hungary and Croatia traded sharp public statements this week after Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, was halted. The diplomatic dispute escalated when Zagreb rejected Budapest’s request to use the Adria pipeline as an alternative route for Russian crude.

Croatia insists its infrastructure is ready to supply non-Russian oil but will not be used to perpetuate Hungary’s dependence on the Kremlin.

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