Hungary holds firm on investment demands to support Russian oil ban
Hungary has maintained its demands for energy investment before it agrees to an Russian oil embargo with its Western allies.
“Solutions first, sanctions afterwards,” announced Hungary’s Justice Minister Judit Varga said ahead of fresh talks with the European Union (EU) on a sixth package of sanctions against Russia after it invaded Ukraine.
The Hungarian government has been clashing with multiple EU member states and its executive arm, the European Commission, which have been calling for swift approval of more energy sanctions against the Kremlin following the invasion of Ukraine.
The European Commission proposed a sixth package of sanctions earlier this month, including an six-month phase out of Russian oil supplies.
However, Hungary’s opposition to the measure has prevented the ban being confirmed – as it requires the unanimity of all the 27 member states to approve it.
Several EU member states including Czechia and Slovakia have secured extended phase-outs of two years rather than six months, but Hungary is also looking for an exemption for piped oil supplies, or compensation.
However, Robert Habeck, Germany’s Economy Minister has hinted his country could vote through a ban excluding Hungary.
France, Lithuania, Belgium and Ireland have urged a compromise before the summit during closed-door discussions among EU diplomats last week, sources said.
Sources told news agency Reuters that Sweden has suggested dropping the oil embargo to move ahead with other new sanctions if that was necessary.
This includes the exclusion of Sberbank and other Russian lenders from the SWIFT banking system and blacklisting more individuals held responsible for the war.
However, an oil ban remains the centrepiece of a proposed sixth package of sanctions.
The bloc is currently dependent on Russia for around 25 per cent of its oil supplies.
Hungary is heavily reliant on its crude stocks, and has revealed it would need €750m in short-term investments to upgrade refineries and expand a pipeline bringing oil from Croatia.
It also said the longer-term conversion of its economy away from Russian oil could cost as much as €18 bn.
The Commission last week offered up to €2bn in support to countries that are land-locked and reliant on Russian supply – Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
It has also unveiled a €210bn plan to end Europe’s reliance on Russian fossil fuels by 2027, but has not yet revealed how this money would be shared among EU states.