Orban Calls EU’s Russian Energy Ban ‘Hypocrisy’
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused the European Union of hypocrisy over its push to phase out Russian energy by 2028, asserting that the bloc’s stance on diversification is inconsistent. Orban emphasized that Hungary continues to purchase Russian energy and is resisting the EU’s sanctions, claiming the measures are driven by economic protectionism rather than genuine divers, while also highlighting the impact of these policies on his country’s energy security.
The EU’s energy ministers this week backed a European Commission proposal to completely phase out Russian oil and gas by 2028 as part of sanctions against Moscow. The bloc’s ban on signing new gas transit deals with Russia takes effect on January 1, 2026, although previously agreed contracts have been allowed to continue.