Comments came after angry complaints from Slovakia and Hungary over Kyiv’s refusal to renew transit of Russian gas.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Jan. 25 that Ukraine is ready to facilitate the transit of gas from Azerbaijan to Europe. Zelensky explained that he discussed this potential arrangement with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev during their recent meeting.

The European Union does not have the financial means to admit Ukraine into the EU, Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated during a joint press conference with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Mr. Orban later shared a segment of this press briefing on his social media.

Ambassador David Pressman talks about his contentious relationship with Viktor Orban’s administration and why what happens in Hungary matters.

As well as transiting Azerbaijani gas and exporting its own domestic reserves, Turkey imports fuel from Russia via the TurkStream pipeline under the Black Sea. After the Kremlin's agreement with Ukraine ended on Jan. 1, the underwater link is the only remaining route for Moscow to ship supplies to Europe.

Regarding NATO, the Hungarian PM stated unequivocally that Ukraine’s membership in NATO is currently not on the agenda and will not be for the foreseeable future. Responding to a journalist’s question, he explained that there will never be unanimous agreement on this issue. He went on to describe discussions around Ukraine’s NATO membership as a

Hungarian foreign minister's remarks come after Russia claimed to have foiled Ukrainian strike on compressor station supplying gas through TurkStream pipeline - Anadolu Ajansı

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said he wants the European Union to intervene over a gas dispute between his country and Ukraine – a potential sign of friction in the bloc’s upcoming discussions over renewing sanctions against Russia.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called on the European Union to pressure Ukraine to re-establish the transit of Russian gas to Europe and linked the issue to extending sanctions against Moscow.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Friday threatened to block the renewal of EU sanctions on Russia, linking his support to efforts to reopen a gas pipeline across Ukraine to Central Europe.

“Now the issue of extending sanctions is on the agenda, I have put on the handbrake and asked European leaders to understand that this cannot continue,” said Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, speaking to state broadcaster Kossuth Radio. “Hungary cannot be made to pay the price of sanctions in such proportions.”