Orban called for lifting sanctions against Russia in the energy sector

The European Union (EU) should abandon sanctions against the Russian energy sector. This was stated by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on February 12.

"A completely new energy policy is needed. I am convinced that energy sanctions should be lifted, negative discrimination against nuclear power should be eliminated, closed energy transit routes should be reopened," he said at a press conference after talks with Alice Weidel, co-chair of the German Alternative for Germany party and candidate for Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Hungarian prime minister added that Brussels will still face the crucial consequences of its failed energy policy.

Council right: Slovakia ready to block 16th sanctions package

Bratislava opposes restrictions on Russian gas imports

Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the European Union was considering new sanctions against Russia despite the fact that its own economy was in dire straits. According to the foreign minister, it was Russian gas that provided the entire union with an economic boost.

On February 10, the head of the German party "Sarah Wagenknecht's Union - for Reason and Justice" (SSV) Sarah Wagenknecht said that anti-Russian sanctions are damaging the economy of Germany. Thus, according to her, the rise in gas prices has provoked the rise in the price of products and a decrease in the competitiveness of German companies.

On January 29, Belgian Energy Minister Tinne van der Straten announced the plans of the country's authorities to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia even after the sanctions prohibiting it come into force at the end of March. She pointed out that gas imports from Russia would not disappear, but would be redirected to different destinations and facilities.

On January 27, Bloomberg reported that the European Commission (EC) is likely to postpone by a certain margin a month later the official publication of the roadmap, which will outline a plan for EU countries with specific measures they need to take to completely abandon fuel imports from Russia, including LNG. It was noted that instead of the end of February, as planned, the EC may present its plan on March 26.