EU state wants to expand cooperation with Russia

Hungary maintains “constant contacts” with Moscow as part of its strategy, its foreign minister has said

Hungary is interested in expanding cooperation with Russia in areas that are not subject to Western sanctions, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has said.

In an interview with RIA Novosti published on Monday, the top diplomat said that Budapest maintains “constant contacts” with the Russian government, because Hungary has its own “clear strategy and position.”

“We have never hidden this and have always spoken about it openly,” Szijjarto stated. “In those areas that are not affected by sanctions, we are absolutely interested in expanding cooperation.”

The minister also did not rule out that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban could visit Russia next year if such a trip were necessary, adding that it is important to maintain a direct dialogue.

“If you cut off communication, you lose hope for peace. And that is something we definitely don’t want,” Szijjarto concluded.

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Last week, Brussels adopted its 15th package of economic sanctions against Russia, blacklisting 54 people and 30 entities, oil tankers allegedly connected to Russia, Russian defense firms, and “various Chinese actors” accused of supplying electronic components to the country.

Hungary, which has been granted an extended exemption allowing it to continue buying Russian crude oil, has convinced EU officials to abandon sanctions against the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Russia’s UN envoy, the Russian Olympic Committee, and two Russian Premier League football teams.

Budapest has consistently opposed unilateral restrictions imposed on Russia, with the top diplomat expressing hope that sanctions will ultimately be lifted.

In an interview with RT earlier this month, Szijjarto said that “economic neutrality is common sense” and blasted Western sanctions which he said caused more harm to the EU than to Russia.

“Economy and energy must not be a matter of political ideology, this is physical and mathematical reality,” the minister said.

Hungary has been a particularly vocal opponent of measures targeting Russia’s energy sector, arguing that EU restrictions are counterproductive.