Hungary to veto Brussels’ proposed ban on Russian gas

Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that Hungary would oppose the EU's plan to ban Russian energy deliveries by 2027, both legally and politically.

Share:

The Hungarian government has confirmed its intention to block the European Commission’s proposal to ban all imports of Russian energy into the European Union starting at the end of 2027. Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that the measure, currently being developed in Brussels, would increase Hungary’s energy bills by €2bn ($2.17bn) per year.

Speaking on public radio station Kossuth, Viktor Orban asserted that Budapest would use all available means to contest the proposal, which it considers incompatible with EU law. He specified that Hungary sees the initiative as a disguised sanction which, under European treaties, can only be adopted unanimously by member states.

Direct economic impact on Hungarian households

According to Hungarian authorities, banning Russian energy supplies would sharply raise energy costs, affecting housing and public service prices. Viktor Orban stated that “the Commission’s plan would explode household and business energy bills in Hungary.” He also emphasised that his government would continue its policy of maintaining affordable prices, in contrast to what he described as a more expensive approach favoured by several member states.

The prime minister claimed that the discussions in Brussels are driven by political, not economic, considerations. He named Germany and the Czech Republic among the countries supporting the ban, accusing their leaders of “trying to hurt Russia even if it means higher prices for their own citizens.”

Institutional conflict and energy sovereignty concerns

Hungary believes such a ban does not fall within the Commission’s remit without explicit agreement from all member states. Viktor Orban said his country would continue to defend its energy interests at EU meetings, reaffirming its right to veto such decisions.

Hungary’s energy supply remains heavily reliant on Russian resources, particularly through the Druzhba oil pipeline and the TurkStream gas pipeline. A forced disruption of these flows would require major investment in new infrastructure, with no guaranteed price stability in the long term.

“We must not allow energy sanctions against Russia to be imposed that would automatically apply to Hungary,” Viktor Orban insisted, adding that his country would maintain its current energy strategy as long as economic conditions justify it.

The visit of India's national security adviser to Moscow comes as the United States threatens to raise tariffs on New Delhi due to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil.
Brussels freezes its retaliatory measures for six months as July 27 deal imposes 15% duties on European exports.
Discussions between Tehran and Baghdad on export volumes and an $11 billion debt reveal the complexities of energy dependence under U.S. sanctions.
Facing US secondary sanctions threats, Indian refiners slow Russian crude purchases while exploring costly alternatives, revealing complex energy security challenges.
The 50% tariffs push Brasília toward accelerated commercial integration with Beijing and Brussels, reshaping regional economic balances.
Washington imposes massive duties citing Bolsonaro prosecution while exempting strategic sectors vital to US industry.
Washington triggers an unprecedented tariff structure combining 25% fixed duties and an additional unspecified penalty linked to Russian energy and military purchases.
Qatar rejects EU climate transition obligations and threatens to redirect its LNG exports to Asia, creating a major energy dilemma.
Uganda is relying on a diplomatic presence in Vienna to facilitate technical and commercial cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, supporting its ambitions in the civil nuclear sector.
The governments of Saudi Arabia and Syria conclude an unprecedented partnership covering oil, gas, electricity interconnection and renewable energies, with the aim of boosting their exchanges and investments in the energy sector.
The European commitment to purchase $250bn of American energy annually raises questions about its technical and economic feasibility in light of limited export capacity.
A major customs agreement sealed in Scotland sets a 15% tariff on most European exports to the United States, accompanied by significant energy purchase commitments and cross-investments between the two powers.
Qatar has warned that it could stop its liquefied natural gas deliveries to the European Union in response to the new European directive on due diligence and climate transition.
The Brazilian mining sector is drawing US attention as diplomatic discussions and tariff measures threaten to disrupt the balance of strategic minerals trade.
Donald Trump has raised the prospect of tariffs on countries buying Russian crude, but according to Reuters, enforcement remains unlikely due to economic risks and unfulfilled past threats.
Afghanistan and Turkmenistan reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their bilateral partnership during a meeting between officials from both countries, with a particular focus on major infrastructure projects and energy cooperation.
The European Union lowers the price cap on Russian crude oil and extends sanctions to vessels and entities involved in circumvention, as coordination with the United States remains pending.
Brazil adopts new rules allowing immediate commercial measures to counter the U.S. decision to impose an exceptional 50% customs tariff on all Brazilian exports, threatening stability in bilateral trade valued at billions of dollars.
Several international agencies have echoed warnings by Teresa Ribera, Vice-President of the European Commission, about commercial risks related to Chinese competition, emphasizing the EU's refusal to engage in a price war.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development lends €400 million to JSC Energocom to diversify Moldova's gas and electricity supply, historically dependent on Russian imports via Ukraine.