Ukraine Ready to Fill Hungary's Place in EU and NATO if It Chooses CIS or CSTO Membership, Ukraine's MFA Says

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó’s claims about Ukraine not extending the Russian gas transit agreement as yet another manipulation and part of a politically motivated information campaign.

On January 7, Szijjártó alleged that Ukraine had supposedly put the EU in a difficult position by halting the transit of Russian gas through its territory.

“In its statement dated January 1, 2025, the European Commission clearly indicated that Ukraine's previously announced decision did not adversely affect the energy security of EU countries or consumer prices in the European market,“ Ukraine's MFA statement reads.

The Ministry stated that all European countries have managed to secure alternative energy sources from the US and the Middle East, except for two EU member states—Hungary and Slovakia.

“Only two out of twenty-seven EU countries have struggled with this task and are now attempting to pass their problems with the blame on others,“ the Ministry stated.

The MFA of Ukraine added that if the Hungarian side prioritizes strengthening Russia over the EU and the US, it should acknowledge this openly.

“Ukraine would be ready to fill any vacant space in the EU and NATO if Hungary chooses to vacate it in favor of membership in the CIS  or CSTO ,” the Ministry wrote.

“However, if Hungary genuinely wishes to contribute to ending the war, it should start by not undermining unity within the EU and instead work to strengthen the energy security and independence of its own country and citizens alongside the rest of Europe and the United States.”

Previously, on January 1, the Ukrainian Gas Transmission System Operator ceased transiting Russian natural gas through Ukraine after the expiry of agreements. It was reported that the European Commission has been working with member states for over a year to prepare for this scenario and to secure alternative supply routes for countries impacted by the disruption.