RT reports that on April 4, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that Hungary and Slovakia have reached an agreement to jointly push the EU to lift sanctions related to Russian energy.
Orbán made this statement following a phone call with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. He pointed out that under the influence of the situation in Iran and the Middle East conflict, Europe is facing the risk of an energy crisis and urgently needs measures to avoid energy shortages and price hikes.
Orbán warned that Europe is rapidly approaching a severe energy crisis, with risks of energy shortages and rising prices intensifying: “Every day now is crucial.”
This appeal comes against the backdrop of blocked passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which has directly severed a vital energy supply route for Europe from the Middle East.
The call is destined to trigger intense debate within the EU. On one hand, major member states like Germany and France still maintain their stance on sanctions against Russia, arguing that lifting them would send the wrong signal. On the other hand, the energy shock triggered by the Middle East conflict has already forced multiple governments to take emergency measures: Spain launched a €5 billion energy subsidy plan, Italy implemented fuel tax reductions, and Poland plans to lower its fuel VAT. While these short-term emergency measures can partially alleviate the impact, fiscal space is being continuously eroded.
Notably, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has acknowledged that since the outbreak of the conflict, the EU has incurred an additional €6 billion in energy expenditures—providing some validation for Orbán’s warnings. The rift within the EU over energy policy is widening under mounting real-world pressure.
Orbán’s remarks represent both a genuine warning about the immediate energy crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict and another strategic move in Hungary’s long-standing contest with EU energy policies. By using such urgent language as “every day is crucial,” he aims to convey a clear message: the gunfire in the Middle East has already reached Europe’s energy lifeline; if policies are not adjusted promptly, Europe will pay a far heavier price than the cost of sanctions.
For the EU, this presents a dilemma: sticking to sanctions could lead to winter energy cutoffs and industrial decline, while easing sanctions would signify a major shift in policy toward Russia. Whether Orbán’s “ultimatum” will succeed depends on the evolution of the situation in the Middle East, internal political maneuvering within the EU, and how much Germany, France, and other key members are willing to pay for “energy solidarity.”
Today’s EU would rather endure cold and hunger than compromise on political correctness. The ordinary people suffer the most!
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861576237134860/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.