Ukraine Russia war: Hungary to resist sanctions on Russian oil

BUDAPEST: As European Union leaders continue to push for an embargo on Russian oil, Hungary’s prime minister insisted Monday that his country would not support any sanctions that negatively affect Hungary’s energy security.

In a speech in Hungary’s parliament, nationalist leader Viktor Orban said Hungary would not block EU sanctions as long as they “don’t go beyond the red line of Hungary’s economic protection. That is, as long as they don’t jeopardize Hungary’s energy security.” Orban said that EU leaders are “convinced that European sanctions can force Russia to its knees … but no matter how hard I try, I can’t remember any continental blockade ever being successful.” Orban’s government has remained firm in its rejection of sanctions on Russian energy exports.

Earlier EU offers to Hungary to extend the deadline for dropping Russian oil from its energy mix have not swayed the government in Budapest.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

— Russian war effort in Ukraine runs into diplomatic, military hurdles

— EU’s Russia sanctions effort slows over oil dependency

— Sweden ends neutrality, joins Finland in seeking NATO berth

— McDonald’s to sell its Russian busines s, try to keep workers