Hungary has threatened to block Ukraine's EU accession due to issues related to gas supply.

The Hungarian Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, has threatened to block Ukraine's accession to the European Union. The reason lies in the halt of gas transit from Russia. He stated that Ukraine did not have a vote in this matter.

On his Facebook page, the head of Hungarian diplomacy mentioned that there is "reality," "rights," and "obligations." In his view, the "reality" is that in the EU, member states collectively and unanimously make decisions regarding the admission of new members to the bloc, and each country needs to vote "in favor."

"It is the sovereign right of each country to decide from where and through which routes it obtains the energy resources necessary for its operations. No one has the right to vote on this matter. No one has the right to force other countries to make more expensive energy purchases," the Hungarian minister stated.

Szijjarto emphasized that a country entering into an association agreement with the EU or even wishing to become a member of the EU is obliged to "contribute" to the energy security of the bloc by providing transport routes.

"Therefore, the closure of gas or oil routes is unacceptable and contradicts the expectations associated with integration into the European Union," the head of Hungary's Ministry of Foreign Affairs added.

Halting Gas Transit from the Russian Federation and Related Conflicts

On the morning of January 1, Ukraine ceased the transit of Russian gas. Slovak and Hungarian importers of Russian gas urged to maintain gas transit through Ukraine's territory.

Hungary claimed that the halt of gas transit allegedly led to rising fuel prices. In response, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the sole reason for problems in the European energy market has always been Russia. For decades, the Kremlin has used energy as a weapon, blackmailing European governments and undermining energy security.

"All European countries have found ways to ensure their economies and people with alternative energy sources from the USA and the Middle East. Only two out of twenty-seven EU countries (Hungary and Slovakia - ed.) have failed to meet this challenge and are now trying to shift their problems from a sick head to a healthy one," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated.

They added that "Ukraine will be ready to take the vacant seat in the EU and NATO if Hungary decides to vacate it in favor of membership in the CIS or CSTO." If Hungary wishes to help end the war, the Foreign Ministry believes it should start by not undermining unity in the EU and instead strengthen energy security and independence for its country and citizens alongside the rest of Europe and the USA.

It is worth noting that Bloomberg warned that after the halt of transit, Russia could attack the Ukrainian gas transportation system.