Hungary has declared it will block the European Union’s proposed 20th sanctions package against Russia and withhold critical financial support for Ukraine until Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline resume. The announcement came from Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó in a social media statement on Sunday, just ahead of Monday’s crucial EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels.
The diplomatic confrontation stems from the January 27 interruption of Russian oil shipments to Hungary and Slovakia, which Ukrainian authorities attribute to damage caused by Russian drone attacks on the Druzhba pipeline. Szijjártó accused Ukraine of intentionally withholding oil shipments and stated Hungary would prevent any EU decisions favorable to Kyiv until the matter is resolved.
This stance creates significant complications for EU unity, as sanctions require unanimous approval from all 27 member states. The proposed measures were intended to coincide with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Tuesday.
In a further escalation, Hungary revealed plans to block a substantial €90 billion EU loan package designed to support Ukraine’s military and economic stability over the next two years. Slovakia has joined Hungary in applying pressure, with Prime Minister Robert Fico threatening to cut emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine if oil deliveries aren’t restored by Monday.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry condemned these actions as “ultimatums and blackmail” that effectively assist Russian aggression. The ministry emphasized that these threats come during extreme winter conditions while Russia systematically targets Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who maintains Europe’s closest relationship with the Kremlin, has consistently argued that Russian energy is essential for Hungary’s economic stability. While most European nations have dramatically reduced Russian energy imports since the invasion began, Hungary and Slovakia secured temporary exemptions from EU bans on Russian oil imports.