Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The Kremlin-friendly PM believes the EU broke the law regarding the ban on Russian gas.
Hungary’s Prime Minister, Victor Orbán, has announced that his country will sue the EU over the decision to ban Russian gas, TVP World reports.
According to the outlet, Orbán told state radio in his weekly interview, that “we do not accept this obviously unlawful solution contrary to European values, which was chosen by Brussels to shut down a national government that disagrees with it. We are turning to the European Court of Justice.”
The Hungarian prime minister also said he is looking at other “non-legal” means to dissuade the EU from its current path but declined to elaborate.
The 2027-ban
The European Council agreed in October to phase out Russian gas completely by the end of 2027.
However, Hungary and Slovakia—both of which opposed the move—argue that the decision is unlawful because it was taken by a qualified majority vote rather than a unanimous vote.
Both Hungary and Slovakia maintain that a halt in Russian gas imports constitutes a sanction and should require a unanimous vote.
Hungary and Slovakia remain heavily dependent on Russian gas, and the leaders of the two countries are widely regarded as the most Moscow-leaning in the EU.
Confusion over excemption from U.S. sanctions
In addition to EU energy restrictions, Hungary has also come under pressure from Washington.
In September, the BBC cited Donald Trump for saying he would impose sanctions on Russia only if NATO members, including Hungary and Slovakia, cease buying Russian oil.
Energy exports remain a key factor in Russia’s ability to finance its war against Ukraine.
Orbán subsequently received a one-year reprieve from Trump during a trip to the U.S. capital in November, Reuters reported at the time
Orbán, however, has claimed Trump granted him “indefinite exemption.”
Trump imposed sanctions on Russia’s two biggest oil companies—Lukoil and Rosneft—in late October.
Sources: Reuters, BBC, AP, TVP World
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, who may have used AI in the preparation
