Hungary wants the European Union to persuade Ukraine to resume gas transit from Russia to Europe, as the EU aims to expand its sanctions against Russia in the upcoming week, stated Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Friday, according to Reuters.
Orban, whose government maintains closer economic and political ties with Moscow than other EU countries, once again criticized the sanctions on Friday, claiming they have caused Hungary financial losses amounting to 19 billion euros, although he did not specify how this figure was calculated.
In an interview with Hungarian radio Kossuth, Orban mentioned that the continuation of Russian gas transit is in the interest of all of Europe, thus it is essential to consider not only Ukraine's position.
"If Ukraine seeks assistance, for instance, regarding sanctions against Russia, then please restart the gas transit and allow Central European countries, particularly Hungary, to receive the gas we need," said Orban.
Orban is also demanding guarantees that Ukraine will not attack the "Turkish Stream" gas pipeline, through which Hungary will receive gas.