• Hungary threatens to block EU sanctions against Russia related to oil deliveries.
• Ukrainian oil shipments to Hungary have been interrupted since January due to pipeline damage.
• Lithuania warns against Hungary becoming a "hostage" in EU decision-making.

Hungary has announced plans to block a new package of European Union sanctions against Russia, asserting that any such actions will be contingent upon the resumption of Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó explicitly stated, "We will not consent to the adoption of the 20th package of sanctions, because we have previously made it clear that until the Ukrainians resume oil shipments to Hungary, we will not allow decisions that are important to them to be approved," according to SCMP and LA Times.

The sanctions are set to be discussed during an EU meeting in Brussels, where unanimous approval is necessary for them to pass. Hungarian leaders have justified their position by claiming that Ukrainian authorities are deliberately withholding oil shipments, which have been interrupted since January due to damage from Russian drone attacks on the pipeline, according to LA Times, AA, and SCMP.

As Hungary continues to defy broader EU efforts against Moscow, Lithuania's foreign minister has highlighted the risks of allowing one member state to impede collective action, stating that the EU must not become a "hostage" to Hungary. Kestutis Budrys remarked, “If we have to hand out carrots every time to secure agreement on our common security interests, then why do we need that kind of European Union?” emphasizing the need for unity among member nations, according to AA.

Meanwhile, Hungary and Slovakia have announced they will cease diesel shipments to Ukraine until the oil is restored, with Slovakia’s Prime Minister indicating a cut to emergency electricity supplies if the situation does not improve. Ukrainian officials have condemned these actions as provocative and harmful amidst ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, particularly during harsh winter conditions, according to LA Times and SCMP.