Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto have voiced strong opposition to forthcoming EU sanctions aimed at Russia, threatening to reject the 20th sanctions package unless Ukraine resumes oil transit through the 'Družba' pipeline. Orban's remarks on social media indicated that Hungary would not support sanctions while Ukraine halts oil deliveries that are crucial for Hungary and Slovakia's energy needs. Furthermore, the Hungarian officials indicated their conditions for future cooperation with Ukraine hinge on the resumption of this oil transit, which has been disrupted by Russian attacks in Ukraine.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has highlighted the impact of ongoing Russian offensives, which have led to damage in the 'Družba' pipeline that crosses Ukrainian territory and supplies Russian oil to neighboring Slovakia and Hungary. Amid continuous threats of attacks, Ukraine is working on stabilization and repair efforts to ensure the pipeline's functionality. In light of these challenges, Ukraine has proposed alternative routes to supply oil to Slovakia and Hungary that do not rely on Russian sources, hoping to alleviate the energy supply concerns of these nations.

This development arrives alongside the EU's proposal for new sanctions on Russia, primarily targeting the banking and energy sectors, marking the 20th sanctions package since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Hungary's stance poses a significant hurdle to EU unity on sanctions, and it reflects a complex relationship given Hungary's dependence on Russian oil. As the geopolitical tensions continue to rise, the implications of Hungary's actions could further complicate the EU's collective approach to addressing Russia's aggression against Ukraine.