The sanctions imposed on Russia have no effect on the war in Ukraine, they are already harming us, energy prices are rising - stated Zoltán Kovács, Secretary of State responsible for international communication and relations, in an interview with the Austrian daily Kurier, published on Thursday.

Speaking about the war in Ukraine, Zoltán Kovács said:

this war should never have started and must be ended as soon as possible. This requires a ceasefire and peace negotiations.

Regarding the sanctions against Russia, the Secretary of State emphasized: if the sanctions harm those who introduce them more than those against whom they are directed, then they make no sense. And that's still the case right now. Sanctions have no effect on war.

At the moment - as he continued - we are not winning anything, we are only losing. The sanctions are already hurting us, energy prices are rising. Now, energy security must be a priority - emphasized Zoltán Kovács.

To the journalist's suggestion that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán regularly visited Moscow to negotiate cheaper oil and gas, and that Hungary also depends on Russian companies for the expansion of nuclear energy, Zoltán Kovács said:

this close political relationship that you attribute to the Prime Minister and Putin does not exist. There is no closer relationship than between Germany and Russia.

Dependence on Russian oil and gas and Russian technology for nuclear power is a historical, not a political, relationship. Russia was simply the cheapest and most attractive source of energy on the market, he said.

Zoltán Kovács also noted that the war will end at some point and Russia will remain as a potential source of energy.

With or without Putin, regardless of how much ideological wishful thinking he has. It may not be a good idea if we decide now to completely separate ourselves from Russia in terms of energy policy

Zoltán Kovács stated in connection with the criticism of the rule of law situation in Hungary in Brussels: "this is a political witch hunt". Hungary fulfills all the conditions of the European Union, but Brussels does not.

This money is ours, not a gift, not a subsidy, but ours. Money is distributed for economic reasons. The fact that they are held back is purely a subjective political decision, added the state secretary at the end.

Source: Origo

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