Hungary on Wednesday rejected the proposal for a gradual European embargo on Russian oil "
in its current form
", judging that such a measure would "
completely destroy the energy security
" of the country.
To discover
YOUR COMMUNE - The results of the second round of the presidential election in your area
Taxes 2022: all about your tax return
kyiv commented that EU countries refusing an embargo on Russian oil "accomplices" in war crimes.
Read alsoBrussels engages in a showdown with Hungary over European funds
The Brussels project “
cannot be supported in its current form.
With all responsibility, we cannot vote for
,” Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in a video message posted on his Facebook page.
A derogation is proposed to allow Hungary and Slovakia to continue their purchases from Russia for a certain period of time, since these two countries are landlocked and totally dependent on deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline due to a lack of connections with the rest of the EU, two European officials told AFP.
But this period of one year is not enough, insisted Mr. Szijjarto.
"
The delivery of Russian oil,
"necessary to run"
Hungary,
"would be prohibited from the end of next year"
, specified the minister.
Impossible according to him:
“it is not a question of lack of political will or timetable, but simply the physical, geographical and infrastructure reality“.
The proposal was sent overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday to the Member States called upon to validate it.
It must be approved unanimously.
Names may be removed and proposals toned down.
The objective is an entry into force for the celebration of the 72nd day of Europe on May 9.
This date is also celebrated in Russia as "
Victory Day
" over Nazi Germany.
Read alsoWar in Ukraine: EU finalizes gradual embargo on Russian oil
The Commission recommends “
a ban on all Russian oil
”
The Commission recommends “
a ban on all Russian oil, crude and refined, transported by sea and by pipeline
”, explained its president Ursula von der Leyen before MEPs in Strasbourg.
A little earlier, the Hungarian government had already deplored this embargo intended to dry up the financing of the war in Ukraine.
"
We do not see a plan on how to make a successful transition on the basis of the current proposals and guarantee Hungary's energy security
," commented the press service interviewed by AFP.
Since the start of the Russian invasion, Hungary, whose nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has forged close ties with Vladimir Putin, has firmly rejected any embargo on oil or gas from Moscow.
According to Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs, 65% of the oil and 85% of the gas used by Hungary comes from Russia.