The Hungarian leader’s ire is directed at the recent end of an agreement between Moscow and Kyiv to keep cheap Russian gas flowing to Europe. Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico insist the lost supplies will have dire ramifications for their energy costs and security. But Ukraine is flatly refusing to renew the deal and the EU argues the two countries can easily find other fuel sources.
It’s a change in message for Orbán, who previously argued the EU should wait to see what Donald Trump would do on Russia sanctions before renewing its own. But he lost that line of attack earlier this week after Trump unexpectedly threatened Vladimir Putin with more sanctions. Now, the Hungarian premier is shifting his attention to Ukraine.
“The Ukrainians, while it is in their interests to impose sanctions, are now poking their nose into the flour and tampering with the Hungarians, even on the energy side, because they are not allowing gas to flow from Russia to Hungary,” Orbán said.
Still, three diplomats with knowledge of the sanctions talks said they still expected the populist prime minister to ultimately allow the reauthorization, perhaps as soon as Monday, when foreign ministers gather in Brussels. Authorities have until next Friday to reach a deal.
Is Monday the day?
One EU envoy, who like others was granted anonymity to speak freely about the closed-door discussions, predicted the renewal would come Monday, even though Hungary was expressing “reservations” during preparatory meetings.
“They like the drama,” the envoy quipped.