Europe has “shot itself in the lung” with sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Friday.
Orbán has often disagreed with Brussels and sharply criticized the European Union (EU) sanctions on Russian oil.
Addressing the state radio, Orbans called on the leaders of the EU countries to change the policy of these sanctions.
“In the beginning, I thought that we only shot ourselves in the foot, but the European economy shot itself in the lungs and is now gasping for air,” Orban said. “There are countries that have committed themselves to the policy of sanctions, but Brussels must admit that it was a mistake, that it did not fulfill its purpose and even had the opposite effect.”
“Brussels thought that the sanctions policy would harm Russia, but it harms us more,” added Orban.
Hungary declared a state of emergency on Wednesday over the energy crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and announced a plan to deal with it.
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