The Hungarian Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjártó, has threatened to block Ukraine's accession to the European Union due to the cessation of Russian gas transit.
He made this statement on Facebook.
Szijjártó pointed out that decisions regarding the admission of new members to the EU are made collectively and unanimously, with each country having a right to vote.
It is the sovereign right of each state to decide from where and by what routes it receives energy resources. No one can interfere or force countries to make more expensive energy purchases, the minister stated.
He also emphasized that countries aspiring for association or membership in the EU must ensure the energy security of the bloc by providing transportation routes.
Shutting down gas or oil routes contradicts the expectations associated with Euro-integration, Szijjártó added.
Previously, the minister accused Ukraine of causing economic difficulties for the EU, claiming that the halt of Russian gas transit led to a 20% increase in gas prices in Europe.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry responded, stating that the reason for the problems in the European energy market is Russia, which has used energy resources as a tool for blackmail for decades, undermining Europe's energy security.