FM Szijj¡rt³ Vows to Block Von der Leyen-Zelensky Energy Plan Over Economic Concerns

Budapest: P©ter Szijj¡rt³, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, declared the government’s firm stance to use every available means to obstruct the energy plan proposed by European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The minister expressed grave concerns that the plan could “ruin” the economies of central Europe and severely impact the broader European economy.

According to About Hungary, Minister Szijj¡rt³ highlighted that gas prices in Europe were significantly higher than in the United States, and electricity prices were multiple times those in China. He attributed these inflated prices to what he described as Brussels’ “failed sanctions policies.” The minister criticized the attempts by Ukraine to push the European Union into sanctioning Russian energy deliveries since the conflict’s inception.

Szijj¡rt³ accused Von der Leyen of causing “extreme damage” to the EU and criticized her unprecedented support for Zelensky, which he claimed burdened Hungarians financially. He also condemned the “hypocrisy” of energy ministers, accusing them of shifting positions during meetings.

The minister suggested that Slovakia, with whom he had recent discussions, might align with Hungary in opposing the Von der Leyen-Zelensky plan. He emphasized that the plan posed significant risks to the energy supplies of both Hungary and Slovakia, advocating for a united front at the upcoming EU energy ministers’ meeting.

Szijj¡rt³ argued that energy policy should remain under national sovereignty and criticized Brussels and Kyiv for attempting to dictate Hungary’s energy sources. He called out the use of trade measures as a disguise for sanctions policies, describing it as a “shameless violation” of European rules.

The minister underscored that Hungary’s energy supply relies heavily on Russian deliveries, deeming it “technically impossible” to sever these ties. He highlighted infrastructure limitations and price hikes from neighboring countries as barriers to alternative energy sources and warned of drastic price increases if Russian energy supplies were cut.

Szijj¡rt³ concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to maintaining energy security for Hungarian homes and industries and anticipated an intense debate at the forthcoming energy ministers’ meeting.