The Hungarian Foreign Minister is not willing to follow the EU authoring sanctions aimed at hobbling the Russian nuclear industry. This comes as Washington and Brussels are desperate to make Moscow feel the effects of punitive measures on Russia.
Russian Sanctions Can Bring Down the Euro-sphere
The FM of Hungary, Peter Szijjarto, indicated in a meeting in Vienna with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that some vested interests in the bloc are trying to stop the nuclear investments of members in the form of sanctions to make it hard on members, reported Euractiv.
Budapest requires Russian energy sources, but some EU entities are determined to make it difficult for members to disagree on punitive measures. Following the weekend discussions on the 26th, Hungary informed the EU leadership on Monday that it would not proceed with its plans, noted CE Energy News.
Szijjarto stated that it should be clear that all actions are taken into account, but he emphasized that no one has the right to halt the construction of nuclear power plants, which is an attack on sovereignty.
The landlocked country in central Europe is excluded from the partial EU import ban on Russian oil and dismisses calls for new sanctions on the Russian nuclear industry, such as indirect sanctions on areas like building projects, technology, and information systems.
But, according to the Hungarian Foreign Minister, limiting investment in nuclear infrastructure is where Budapest draws the line. Speaking to the United Nations nuclear watchdog, he added that the European Union has no right to interfere in state affairs.
He also stated that no support for punitive measures affecting the country's energy supply would be tolerated.
Budapest Seeks EU Support To Allow Nuclear Reactors
For years, nationalist Prime Minister Victor Orban has been a vocal supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has been a vocal critic of the European Council and has refused to agree with EU leaders on punitive measures against Russia.
He frequently accuses many EU leaders of acting against the bloc's interests and harming it, as Washington has been obvious in Euro-affairs, citing AP News.
Rosatom, the Russian conglomerate, will construct several nuclear reactors at its Paks nuclear power plant. It will be added to the four existing atomic reactors, which run on uranium sourced from Russia and provide roughly half of the nation's electricity.
Hungary is looking for approval to extend the operation of its present reactors, FM Szijarto said last Monday on his Facebook page.
Several EU states, including the Baltic States and Ireland, as well as Warsaw, have been persuaded by Brussels to end nuclear cooperation with Moscow. There is no consensus from the 27 bloc members mentioned by a European diplomatic source, said an outlet.
Bulgaria, which has lost access to Russian energy supplies because the previous centrist government refused to pay in roubles, is also extremely worried regarding talk of broadening the energy embargo.
Hungary gets a third of its power from its only single-operating nuclear power plant. At one point, Orban said the EU was shooting its foot with a disastrous energy policy.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister called out the EU for sanctions against the Russian nuclear industry, which are national concerns, not a prerogative of Brussels to decide.
