Czechia rejects Hungary’s threat to block new EU sanctions on Russia

Czechia will not join Hungary in threatening to block the EU’s planned 20th sanctions package against Russia, Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlíček said on Czech Television’s debate programme on Sunday.

Hungary has said it may block the new sanctions if Ukraine does not resume the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline. Supplies to Slovakia and Hungary via Ukraine were interrupted at the end of January.

Havlíček called for further negotiations on the issue and suggested the involvement of an independent arbitrator. He also said Czechia had offered Slovakia oil supplies through its pipeline network, though securing them could take about a year.

Ukraine says the disruption was caused by Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure. However, Slovakia and Hungary have accused Kyiv of political pressure linked to Hungary’s opposition to Ukraine joining the EU.