Orban, Fico Urge EU to Lift Russian Energy Sanctions

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called on the European Union on Saturday to lift sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports, warning of severe energy shortages amid disruptions to key supply routes and escalating global prices.

The leaders made the joint appeal following talks between Orban and Fico, as both nations face halted deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, a Soviet-era conduit that transports Russian crude to Central Europe via Ukraine. The pipeline sustained damage in late January from what Ukrainian officials described as a Russian drone strike, though Hungary and Slovakia have accused Kyiv of delaying repairs for political reasons. Ukraine has denied intentional sabotage and stated it is working to restore flows as quickly as possible. The stoppage has jeopardized a billion-dollar EU loan to Ukraine, which Hungary has blocked in response to the impasse.

Orban emphasized the urgency, stating that Europe confronts a "real threat of energy shortages" and must secure supplies from all available sources, including Russia, to avoid deeper disruptions. He specifically urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to reopen the...