Hungary asked the US to exclude the Russian bank "Gazprombank" from sanctions when it comes to payments for natural gas, as they could negatively impact some of Washington's allies. This was stated by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó, quoted by Reuters, writes BTA.
The USA imposed new sanctions against "Gazprombank" on November 21, as US President Joe Biden took further measures to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine before leaving office in January.
Sanctions prevent the state-controlled credit institution from conducting new transactions that involve the US financial system.
"Yesterday we submitted our request to the relevant American authorities "Gazprombank" to be exempt from sanctions when it comes to payments for natural gas," Szijjarto said in a briefing broadcast on his Facebook page.
Sciarto, speaking in Brussels after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, quoted US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken as saying he "want to consult with allies for whom sanctions are causing problems".
Hungary gets about two-thirds of its gas imports from Russia, but pressure on the country is mounting as Budapest's neighbors move faster away from Russian energy after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine receives 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia under a 15-year agreement signed in 2021.
Scijarto said the sanctions relief would be similar to what is guaranteed to other Russian banks that process payments for the Russian uranium the U.S. buys.
The Hungarian minister said he would travel to Washington later today, but did not elaborate on what topics would be discussed.
Szijjártó traveled to Moscow on Monday for talks with Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and said Hungary was working to find a solution to paying for Russian gas after "Gazprombank" entered the list of companies subject to Russian sanctions.
Hungary still receives most of its gas from Russia under long-term contracts with Gazprom, TASS recalls. In 2022 4.8 billion entered the country. cube m of fuel along the "Turkish Stream" and its branch through Bulgaria and Serbia. According to Hungarian data in 2023 the import of Russian gas has increased to 5.6 billion. cube m.
Szijjártó said earlier this year that as of the end of October, Hungary had received 6.2 billion euros. cubic meters natural gas from Russia.