During an interview with RIA Novosti, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced that his country would veto the 12th sanctions package by the EU if it targets Russian gas, oil, or nuclear energy.
"In case there's anything which is against our national interest in the next package, we will definitely not agree with passing it. So red line for us obviously is energy, gas, oil, nuclear, and any other aspects which would harm our national economy," Szijjarto said, stressing that there is no need to still implement sanctions.
"The sanctions policy simply doesn't work. Sanctions might hit Russia and might cause harm to Russia, but they definitely cause a lot of harm to the European economy, to the European countries. And if a sanctions policy causes more harm to those who are introducing them compared to those against whom it has been targeted, then what is the reason to continue?" he asked.
According to Szijjarto, any restrictions on those who have done good to Hungary by "saving the lives of Hungarians, for example through making it possible that we could buy vaccines," or contributing to its energy supply will be opposed.
For example, he stated that sanctions on Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov were blocked, "Because he helped a lot to Hungary. He contributed to saving lives of the Hungarians during the emergency situation regarding health care".
The same applies to Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, and Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin, he stated, stressing that sports is not to be confused with politics.
Earlier in the interview, Szijjarto stated that the lack of intention to continue in the investigation of the explosion on the Nord Stream pipeline that occurred last year is “outrageous and scandalous.”
“I really do find it outrageous and scandalous that no forward progress has taken place regarding the attack against the Nord Stream pipeline. It has taken place more than a year ago. So, there's no forward progress and I don't really see the intention to have forward progress which is outrageous,” Szijjarto said.
This follows as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán warned after the attack on the Nord Stream pipeline that it would view any acts of sabotage on gas routes used to buy gas from Russia as a casus belli, or a reason for war, though he noted that the warning had been heeded.
"What we, Hungarians, did immediately: we made clear that there is another pipeline, not just Nord Stream, but there is Southern Stream, coming gas from Russia through the southern corridor," he said.