The European Commission has unveiled a plan to eliminate the bloc’s dependence on Russian gas, nuclear fuel, and oil by 2027.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto argues that the European Commission’s proposal to completely phase out Russian fuel imports infringes upon the sovereignty of EU member states by denying them the ability to choose their energy sources.
Brussels has detailed its strategy to end the EU’s energy dependence on Moscow by completely stopping imports of oil, gas, and nuclear fuel in the coming years.
Hungary sources over 80% of its gas from Russia via pipeline, with LNG as a supplementary source. Despite EU sanctions imposed following the Ukraine conflict, Budapest has continued to strengthen its energy relationship with Moscow.
“The forced, artificially ideological-based exclusion of natural gas, crude oil, and nuclear fuel originating from Russia will lead to severe price increases in Europe, seriously harming the sovereignty of European countries, and cause major difficulties for European companies,” Szijjarto stated in a video posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday, describing the announcement as “absolute insanity.”
“Everyone in Brussels has lost their common sense,” the foreign minister declared, stressing that Budapest would not allow the European Commission (EC) to violate Hungary’s sovereignty and would “uphold the right to source energy from where it reliably arrives and where it arrives at a low cost.”
Earlier in the day, the EC released a “roadmap” outlining its ambitious plan to end reliance on Russian energy by the end of 2027. The bloc’s executive branch announced that it would propose legislation in June requiring all member states to create “national plans” to eliminate their imports of Russian gas, nuclear fuel, and oil.
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico also voiced criticism of the plan, labeling the proposal “economic suicide.” He added that Slovakia would advocate for changes during the legislative process.
Brussels revealed its intention to wean EU members off Russian energy shortly after the Ukraine conflict escalated in February 2022. US liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies have largely replaced the previously cheaper Russian pipeline gas.
Although Russian pipeline gas deliveries to the EU have significantly decreased, the bloc has been increasing its LNG imports from Russia, despite sanctions. According to the EC, Russia still accounted for approximately 19% of the EU’s total gas and LNG supply last year.
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