Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Colombian President Gustavo Petro: There will be no change in diplomatic relations with Israel until it complies with the agreements.
Maduro: We say to the people of the United States that we do not want war in the Caribbean or in South America.
Maduro: The sadists in America believe they can issue orders for the world to follow, that they rule while others must adapt. But the first to know this is false are the American people themselves.
Caracas: US maneuvers seek to legitimize regime change and seizure of Venezuelan oil resources.
Caracas: The announced US military deployment in the Caribbean region constitutes a policy of aggression and a threat against Venezuela.
Venezuela: We reject Trump's statements allowing US intelligence agencies to operate in Venezuela.
Palestinian media: Occupation forces storm the town of Azzun, east of Qalqilya
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces fire on Shujaiyya neighborhood east of Gaza City.
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Four of his ribs were broken
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Marwan al-Barghouti lost consciousness after a brutal assault by Israeli occupation soldiers

Hungary says to block Ukraine EU bid, Kiev ready to replace it

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 8 Jan 2025 23:03
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

Hungary's foreign minister says his country would block Ukraine's EU accession over its bill to suspend Russian energy transit through its territories.

Listen
  • x
  • Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto attends a plenary session at the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 (AP)
    Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto attends a plenary session at the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 (AP)

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto criticized a proposed Ukrainian parliamentary bill to suspend Russian oil and gas transit through Ukraine during martial law, calling the measure "unacceptable" in a Wednesday Facebook post.

The bill, submitted Tuesday by former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and members of the opposition European Solidarity party, seeks to ban the transit of Russian energy resources through Ukrainian territory.

Szijjarto highlighted Hungary's reliance on Russian energy and its potential veto power over Ukraine's aspirations to join the European Union. "The reality is that in the EU, member states collectively and unanimously decide on the admission of new members. In other words, each member state has to vote in favor," he said, underlining Hungary's influence in the process. 

The EU initiated accession negotiations with Kiev in December 2023, signaling progress in its bid for membership.

Ukraine not to renew gas transit agreement with Russia

While Ukraine has decided not to renew its gas transit agreement with Russia beyond December 31, 2024, it continues to allow Russian oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline under a contract valid until the end of 2029. Szijjarto argued that Ukraine's association agreement with the EU obliges it to contribute to the bloc's energy security by maintaining transportation routes. 

"Each state has the sovereign right to decide from where and how it buys the energy resources it needs to function, and no one has the right to impose more expensive energy resources on another country," Szijjarto stated. 

Related News

Viktor Orban warns European Union risks collapse without reform

EU mulls curbing Russian oil pipeline supplies to Hungary, Slovakia

Hungary, along with Slovakia and Austria, depends heavily on Russian gas, purchased through Gazprombank, which is under Western sanctions. Szijjarto claimed that halting energy transit would harm Hungary and contravene EU expectations for Ukraine's integration. He also accused Ukraine of exacerbating Europe's economic challenges, alleging that its actions have driven up gas prices on the EU market. 

Szijjarto's remarks come amid ongoing criticism of Hungary for its Moscow-friendly stance. Budapest has frequently blocked sanctions against Russia and aid packages to Ukraine, setting itself apart from other EU member states.

Szijjarto has maintained relations with Moscow during the war, drawing further scrutiny from European partners. The proposed Ukrainian bill and Hungary's reaction underscore the complex dynamics of energy security, EU integration, and regional alliances amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. 

Ukraine ready to fill 'EU vacancy'

In response, Ukraine declared its readiness to fill "any vacant space" in the European Union and NATO should Hungary decide to leave these organizations and join Russian-led blocs, according to a statement from its Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

"Ukraine would be ready to fill any vacant space in the EU and NATO if Hungary chooses to vacate it in favor of membership in the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) or CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization)," the statement read.

Ukraine dismissed Szijjarto's comments as part of a "politically motivated information campaign intended for domestic consumption." The ministry pointed to a European Commission statement on January 1 affirming that the transit halt had not adversely impacted the EU's energy security or consumer prices.

"The sole reason for the challenges in the European energy market has always been Russia," the statement asserted, accusing Moscow of decades of weaponizing energy resources to undermine European security.

Ukraine emphasized that the EU was moving beyond its dependence on Russian energy, with countries diversifying supplies from the US and the Middle East.

"Only two out of twenty-seven EU countries have struggled with this task and are now attempting to pass their problems with the blame on others," the statement added, indirectly referencing Hungary.

The ministry called on Hungary to clarify its priorities, stating, "Hungary should openly acknowledge if it prioritizes strengthening Russia over the EU and the United States." It urged Budapest to focus on strengthening EU unity and energy independence instead of "undermining" collective efforts.

  • Ukraine
  • Russia
  • Hungary
  • European Union
  • Kiev
  • Peter Szijjarto
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the media wait for Palestinian prisoners and injured at the Rafah border crossing in Egypt, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Rafah crossing to reopen for travelers from Gaza: Reuters

US President Donald Trump speaks during an event in the Oval Office at the White House, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

'Israel' may resume Gaza war if Hamas breaches ceasefire, Trump says

Mourners attend the funeral of slain captive Captain Daniel Peretz at Mt. Herzl military cemetery in occupied al-Quds, Wednesday, October 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam Brigades hand over all living Israeli captives

Armored vehicles drive through a street during a government-organized march in support of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US approves covert CIA action in Venezuela: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS