Hungary's Orban Blames EU's Russia Sanctions For Energy Crisis, Wants Them Scrapped

Hungary's right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has told a meeting of his ruling Fidesz party that sanctions against Russia imposed by the European Union should be lifted, the pro-government daily Magyar Nemzet reports.

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Orban made the remarks at a closed-door meeting of his party on September 21 just days after the European Commission called for the elimination of 7.5 billion euros ($7.5 billion) in EU funding earmarked for Hungary due to corruption, rights, and rule-of-law disputes.

Fidesz quickly followed up on Orban's statement, calling on September 22 for a nonbinding, popular vote inside Hungary on whether to end the EU sanctions.

Orban, the only EU leader who maintains warm relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, is a harsh critic of EU sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

According to Magyar Nemzet, Orban said -- without giving a source -- that the EU sanctions had driven up gas prices and inflation.

EU natural prices began rising about a year before Brussels imposed sanctions on Russia.

Kremlin-controlled Gazprom began cutting natural-gas exports to the bloc last year, causing prices to jump, as it massed more than 100,000 combat-ready troops on Ukraine’s border in what European officials and energy experts said was an attempt by Moscow to pressure Brussels over its support for Kyiv.

Russia then further slashed natural0-gas exports this year to punish the EU for imposing sanctions on its economy following its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February. The EU sanctions do not directly target Russian gas exports.

Orban claimed that if sanctions were rescinded, gas prices would drop by 50 percent immediately while inflation would also fall.

The paper quoted Orban as saying that without sanctions, Europe would be able to avoid a looming recession, reiterating his earlier false stance that the sanctions were hurting Europe more than Russia.

Western sanctions have already pushed Russia’s economy into a deep recession that could last for years, experts say. Russia’s economy is expected to contract more than 4 percent in 2022. Experts expect a mild recession for the EU.

On his Facebook page, Orban posted from the party meeting, "The Brussels sanctions have pushed Europe into an energy crisis."

In July, Orban said the EU had "shot itself in the lungs" with ill-considered economic sanctions on Russia, which, unless rolled back, risked destroying the European economy.

Critics say Orban is putting short-term economic issues over long-term security, democracy, and human rights. Ending sanctions on Russia would enable Putin to better equip his soldiers and finance his war, they say.

The European Union is moving ahead with plans to diversify away from its dependence on Russian oil and gas. Experts now expect natural-gas prices to fall next year from record highs as those efforts make progress.

Hungary is one of the EU countries most dependent on Russian natural gas, but Orban has taken some steps during his 12 years in office to diversify the nation's energy supplies.

Orban, who was reelected to a fourth consecutive term in April, was forced to lift caps on some energy prices earlier this year. His government is now preparing for “national consultations” on the question of EU sanctions on Russian energy.

National consultations are nonbinding questionnaires sent to voters on issues that divide citizens. They usually including a series of multiple-choice questions and often include misleading statements or provide one-sided or extreme answer options.

Orban introduced the concept of national consultations earlier in his premiership as a way to fight EU polices he disagrees with. Previous consultations have been held about migration, terrorism, and the constitution.

Orban has clashed often with the EU over issues such as judicial independence, public procurement, LGBT rights, and media, academic, and religious freedoms.

[danaproca]

Orban has right
Eu leaders must fight for peace not for war
EU failed

[williamheim]

Two years ago the EU laughed at president trump when he warned against becoming dependent on Russian energy. Who is laughing now?

[dr.radiobooks]

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[allanwest]

Countries within the EU have the right to disagree with the Eurocrats on its policies and direction. The mouthpiece has no idea about how to create constructive dialogue with an oppositions views.

[allanwest]

Where was the EU when the alliance of the West invaded Iraq and killed civilians and then used depleted uranium in its weapons in Iraq and then Serbia. Where was the condemnation then.

[nbgoodiscore]

Lol kick Hungary out of the EU already