Hungary's Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, has declared that Hungary will oppose the adoption of the European Union's 20th sanctions package against Russia, citing issues with Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline. This represents a significant stance as the EU aims to impose further restrictions on Russia in response to its ongoing military actions against Ukraine.

Szijjarto's comments came in light of reports that Ukrainian officials claimed the Druzhba pipeline, which transports oil from Russia through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia, had suffered damage from Russian airstrikes. The situation underscores the ongoing complexities and tensions in energy supply chains that are being affected by geopolitical strife. Szijjarto emphasized that no sanctions will be accepted as long as oil deliveries to Hungary are obstructed by the situation involving Ukraine.

This development has implications for the EU's broader strategy to exert economic pressure on Russia. Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the bloc has enacted numerous sanctions aimed at diminishing Russia's economic capabilities. Hungary's resistance to further sanctions may reveal divisions within the EU regarding the best approach to handle the crisis, particularly concerning energy security and reliance on Russian oil.