Orbán suggests to revise EU energy sanctions against Russia
Orban proposed to lift sanctions against his friend Putin (Getty Images)
The European Union needs to reconsider its sanctions against Russia, as they are keeping energy prices high and undermining the bloc's economic competitiveness, according to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
"Energy prices need to be lowered by all means. This means that sanctions need to be reconsidered because, under the current sanctions policy, energy prices will not go lower," Orbán said in an interview with Hungarian public radio.
Orbán pointed out that American companies pay a quarter of the amount their European counterparts spend on gas and electricity, creating a disadvantage that cannot be overcome through other measures.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, Orbán has been a vocal critic of the EU sanctions against Moscow, as well as the financial and military support the bloc provides to Kyiv.
While Western European countries have made significant efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy, Hungary continues to source 80-85% of its gas and 80% of its crude oil from Russia, its former communist ally.
Last week, during an informal summit, EU leaders signed a declaration on competitiveness.
Hungary is the only EU country viewed as hostile by Ukrainians. The only countries regarded more negatively are Russia and its allies — Iran, Belarus, North Korea, and China.
For more on Orbán, read RBC-Ukraine’s article, "Orbán’s Moscow ties and anti-Ukraine rhetoric: What drives Hungary’s PM?"
