Hungary's blocking of Russian oil embargo 'disappointing' - Lithuanian president's aide

• Published date: 17 May 2022
• Publication title: LETA

Hungary's decision to block the European Union's move to impose an embargo on Russian oil is disappointing, Asta Skaisgiryte, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda's chief foreign policy advisor, said on Tuesday.

However, the advisor believes that Hungary can still be persuaded by offering the country a transition period to phase out Russian oil imports.

"Hungary's blocking is disappointing," she told the Ziniu Radijas radio station. "The talks are ongoing and, as far as I know, the heads of the EU bodies have made considerable efforts to persuade the Hungarian government to agree to this package, including oil."

As the Hungarian government says that switching away from Russian oil would be "very expensive" and would require long-term structural reforms, "several ways out" are possible in this situation, according to Skaisgiryte.

"Probably the worst outcome would be if oil is taken out of...