HUNGARY: FM Hits Out At US Sanctions On Gazprombank

Hungarian gov't spox Zoltan Kovacs posts on X comments from Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó regarding the US sanctions imposed on Russia's Gazprombank on 21 Nov. "Energy security is a matter of sovereignty, FM Szijjártó stated, emphasizing that any attempt to jeopardize Hungary's energy supply—whether through sanctions or disruption of transit—constitutes an attack on national sovereignty. "We reject all such attacks, resist pressure, and will not compromise on our national interests," he declared in response to Gazprombank being added to the sanctions list, which he described as a deliberate move to destabilize energy security in Central Europe."

• Kovacs: "...Szijjártó announced ongoing efforts with international partners, including discussions in Istanbul with energy ministers from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, and Serbia, as well as continuous consultations with Slovak counterparts...."
• Bloomberg reports "Hungary’s Foreign Ministry said lawyers are investigating the impact of the US sanctions and if needed, the nation “will hold a discussion with the Russian company supplying the gas...We will continue to secure Hungary’s energy supply, independently of any external pressure or intervention attempts,”
• The gov't of PM Viktor Orban has set itself as a vocal opponent of EU sanctions on Russia, as well as actions that Budapest argues risk prolonging the war in Ukraine. Earlier in the week it voiced disapproval at Washington permitting Kyiv to use long-range missiles against Russia. Orban's overt support for President-elect Donald Trump has raised speculation that he could have an outsized impact with regards to future European influence on US actions vis-a-vis Russia and Ukraine.