Hungary calls for lifting EU sanctions on Russian oil and gas amid rising energy prices
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (photo: Getty Images)
Because of the war in the Middle East, a large amount of oil is disappearing from the global market. This could lead to rising prices. The European Union should lift the ban on imports of Russian energy resources, according to a statement by Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, Reuters reports.
Orbán addressed the European Commission
Reuters writes that Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán said he had sent a letter to the head of the European Commission calling for lifting sanctions against Russian energy resources to soften the impact of rising oil prices.
"Ukraine's oil blockade and the Middle East war are driving prices up," he noted.
According to him, the oil blockade introduced by Zelenskyy poses a serious threat not only to Hungary and Slovakia but also to the entire European Union.
To prevent danger, firstly, "we need to review and lift all sanctions on Russian energy." Second, inside the country, we must prevent diesel and gasoline prices from rising "to an unbearable level," Orbán said.
Impact of the ban on Russian oil on the European Union
Szijjártó noted that since the European Union previously banned imports of Russian energy resources, the energy impact of the war in the Middle East on Europe is much greater.
In particular, Szijjártó noted that the European Union lacks oil and other energy resources not only because of the war in the Middle East, but also because of the exclusion of Russian energy resources. Therefore, he added, there is less oil and gas on the European market than before.
"Therefore, in the current situation European Union must immediately take action. To prevent a sharp rise in prices in all sectors in Europe, a ban on imports of Russian energy resources must be lifted immediately," a statement by a Hungarian minister says.
Szijjártó is convinced that if Brussels does not lift the ban on imports of Russian oil and gas, it will deal "an extremely strong blow" to the economy of the European Union. According to him, this will happen because energy prices will rise, which will cause a rise in all prices.
"In Europe, there is a risk of a sharp rise in prices. Brussels must immediately, without ideological considerations, in the interests of the European people and European economy, take steps to prevent a sharp rise in prices," Szijjártó said.
Consequences of war in Iran for Europe
Recently, the Minister of Energy of Norway, Terje Aasland, said that a war in Iran could affect the energy stability of Europe and again activate discussion in the European Union about a full ban on Russian natural gas.
The European Union could again start fully purchasing gas from the aggressor country, although recently, European Union countries finally approved a ban on imports of gas from Russia until the end of 2027.
In addition, in the UK, natural gas reserves will last only for two days, since conflict in the Middle East led to the closure of the largest gas facility in the world.
