Hungary urges European Union to follow United States and ease sanctions on Russian oil

Moscow – Hungary has called on the European Union to follow the example of the United States and temporarily ease sanctions against Russian oil rather than accede to the wishes of Ukraine’s President, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto on Friday.

The United States has permitted the sale of Russian crude oil and petroleum products loaded onto vessels from 12 March, according to a general licence from the US Foreign Assets Control Office (OFAC).

“The solution lies in what America is doing: we should not accede to Zelenskyy’s wishes, sanctions against Russian oil must be lifted, and Russian energy resources should be allowed back into the European market,” said Szijjarto in a video message on social media.

“Unfortunately, Brussels has not taken this step,” he added, noting that Hungary “demands that Brussels, like America, also suspend sanctions against Russian oil.”