Hungary has announced its intention to challenge before the Court of Justice of the European Union the provisional agreement reached by Brussels to gradually eliminate imports of Russian natural gas. The decision, made under the REPowerEU strategy, foresees the end of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchases by the end of 2026, followed by a full phase-out of pipeline gas imports by autumn 2027.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described this measure as a step towards the European Union’s complete energy independence from Russia. She stated that EU payments to Moscow for fossil fuels had dropped from €12bn ($14bn) per month at the beginning of the war in Ukraine to €1.5bn per month today, with the aim to bring it down to zero.
Budapest rejects regulatory constraint
Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Szijjarto called the measure “unacceptable” for his country, highlighting that landlocked Hungary is structurally dependent on Russian pipeline deliveries. He announced that once the plan is formally adopted, a legal challenge will be filed against the decision. According to him, the regulation is a disguised sanction against Moscow rather than a policy based on commercial rationale.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban reaffirmed that energy supplies from Russia are “vital” for Hungary. This stance aligns with Budapest’s position since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, which contrasts with the prevailing direction among EU member states.
Ongoing divisions within the EU
Slovakia has also expressed concerns about the economic impact of turning away from Russian supplies, though it has not announced any legal action at this stage. The regulation adopted by the European Commission is legally binding and requires formal approval by the European Parliament and member states.
The Kremlin responded by claiming that this decision would harm the competitiveness of the European economy. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Europe would become reliant on gas sources that are more expensive than Russian gas.
Geopolitical context and parallel measures
Since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Brussels has sought to reduce Russian energy flows to the EU, viewed as tools of geopolitical influence. At the same time, Washington has expanded sanctions against Russian energy firms, including Rosneft, LUKoil, and Gazpromneft.
EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen welcomed the decision, stating that the Union had chosen energy security. However, certain US exemptions for Hungary remain in effect, according to statements from the Budapest government.
