Hungary will take legal action at the European Union’s top court to challenge new EU rules phasing out imports of Russian gas, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Monday.
Szijjarto said Budapest will ask the Court of Justice of the European Union to annul the regulation once it is formally published, arguing that the decision breaches EU treaties by interfering with national authority over energy policy.
"We will use every legal means to have it annulled," Szijjarto said in a post on X.
He claimed the EU had used a "legal trick" to pass what he described as a sanctions-style measure as a trade decision, allowing it to be adopted without unanimous approval by member states.
"The treaties are clear: decisions on the energy mix are a national competence," Szijjarto said. "Banning Hungary from buying oil and gas from Russia goes against our national interest and would significantly increase energy costs for Hungarian families."
The European Union on Monday formally adopted new rules to gradually phase out imports of Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG), with the measures approved by all 27 member states, according to the EU Council.
Under the regulation, restrictions on Russian gas imports will begin six weeks after the rules enter into force. Existing contracts will be allowed to continue during a transition period to limit market disruption and price shocks.
A full ban on LNG imports from Russia will apply from the beginning of 2027, while pipeline gas imports will be prohibited from autumn 2027.
EU member states will be required to verify the origin of gas before authorising its entry into the bloc. Companies must also inform national authorities and the European Commission of any remaining contracts involving Russian gas.
The regulation includes monitoring requirements, supply diversification obligations and penalties for violations, including fines of at least €2.5 million for individuals and €40 million for companies, or up to 3.5% of a firm’s global annual turnover.
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