Hungary announced it will block the adoption of the 20th EU sanctions package against Russia. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that the bloc will hold off on new measures until Ukraine repairs the Druzhba pipeline, damaged by a Russian strike, and resumes oil shipments to Hungary.
The stalled sanctions package was set for a foreign ministers' meeting. Separately, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán indicated that diesel deliveries halted this week would not restart. Ukraine has condemned these actions as "ultimatums and blackmail," accusing Hungary and Slovakia of aiding the aggressor.
Slovakia's Prime Minister had also threatened to halt electricity supplies to Ukraine if oil deliveries weren't resumed. Ukraine's energy grid has been under intense Russian missile and drone attacks, exacerbating the impact of extreme cold weather. Hungary's stance, maintaining Russian energy imports, contrasts with most EU nations that have significantly reduced or ceased them.