Hungarian PM: “Serious battle” looms over EU’s Russian energy ban

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has expressed strong opposition to the European Commission’s plan to fully phase out Russian energy imports by the end of 2027, warning that “a serious battle will begin on June 16” at the upcoming EU energy ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg.

Hungary will be represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, who is responsible for the country’s international energy affairs, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

“At the meeting, ministers will start discussing the European Commission’s proposal to ban all EU countries from purchasing oil, gas, and nuclear fuel from Russia,” Orbán said.

The prime minister described the proposed ban as a threat to Hungary’s economy.

“This proposal would kill the Hungarian economy. Our families have already been hit hard by rising energy prices over the past two to three years, and I simply don’t see how they could shoulder another financial burden,” he stated. 

Orbán emphasised the need to block the measure, calling it “our only chance to protect families from soaring utility bills and to safeguard their monthly budgets.”

He added that Hungary’s opposition to the plan would commence at the Luxembourg meeting and continue in the weeks ahead, with Szijjártó leading the effort.

By Naila Huseynova