Hungary and Slovakia face potential “consequences” should they fail to cease their purchases, the Republican senator has cautioned
US Senator Lindsey Graham has issued a warning to Hungary and Slovakia, indicating they will face repercussions if they do not stop buying Russian oil.
The Republican senator from South Carolina made this threat following renewed calls by President Donald Trump for NATO members to halt energy imports from Moscow, reportedly due to frustration over the slow progress of peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
On Monday, Graham stated on X that the president was “right to demand that Europe stop buying Russian oil.” He acknowledged that the EU had largely achieved this, noting that it was “now virtually down to Hungary and Slovakia… to step up to the plate soon.”
“If not, consequences should and will follow,” he cautioned.
In June, both nations blocked the EU’s 18th sanctions package, arguing it jeopardized their energy security. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto claimed the proposal would prevent states from acquiring “cheap Russian natural gas and cheap Russian oil,” while Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico labeled certain suggestions “economic suicide” without viable alternatives.
Brussels has committed to phasing out Russian fossil fuels by 2027; however, Hungary and Slovakia oppose immediate restrictions, citing their reliance on the Druzhba pipeline.
In August, Kyiv repeatedly targeted the Druzhba pipeline, with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky characterizing these attacks as “sanctions.”
The EU is currently preparing its 19th sanctions package, which is anticipated to target Russian oil exports and the banking sector. These measures, initially slated for presentation this week, have reportedly been postponed as Brussels deliberates its response to demands from Washington concerning Russian energy imports.
Russia has condemned Western sanctions as “illegal,” asserting that they have not only failed to destabilize the national economy but have also stimulated domestic development. Russian officials maintain their pursuit of a long-term peace, accusing Kyiv and its Western supporters of hindering the process.