Extending European Union sanctions on Russian gas and nuclear power „would have tragic consequences for Hungary” and the government is working to obtain relief from any such decisions, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told public station Kossuth Radio on Friday, quoted by the MTI agency and Agerpres.

At the beginning of the war, the European Union hoped to end the war through sanctions or at least facilitate this goal, but they „did not bring us one centimeter closer” to the end of the conflict, Orban said in the interview.

„We are facing a hard winter”, with the situation in Ukraine becoming more and more difficult, Orban said. Meanwhile, although Russia suffered losses, its energy revenues are increasing and thus „the sanctions policy did not fulfill its purpose”, he noted.

While Hungary has obtained an exemption from the crude oil restriction that will enter into force on December 5 and thus has access to the oil needed by the country, it cannot detach itself from the effects of sanctions on prices, Orban also said.

Hungary has so far „always achieved its national objectives” in the sanctions negotiations „and so we have hope as we enter the next round of debates on the 9th package” of sanctions against Russia. At the same time, the government must fight against „constant pressure” to „protect our interests,” he added.

Agerpres