Hungary wants the European Union to persuade Ukraine to resume gas transit from Russia to Europe, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told state radio on Friday (January 24), signaling a tough debate as the EU seeks to extend its sanctions against Russia over the coming week, Reuters reports.
Hungary has not yet decided whether to support the sanctions rollover due at the end of this month. The EU renews sanctions every six months and requires unanimity among its 27 member countries to do so.
Orban, whose government has maintained closer economic and political relations with Moscow than other EU countries, reiterated his criticism of the sanctions on Friday, saying they caused 19 billion euros ($19.9 billion) of financial damage to Hungary. He did not say how this number was calculated.
EU foreign ministers will meet on Monday to decide on the sanctions rollover and Hungary's foreign minister has flagged a big debate, saying Hungary would also consult its U.S. partners in the coming days.
