Hungary to take EU to top court over Russian gas import ban: Foreign minister

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - Hungary will launch legal proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) against the EU’s new rules phasing out Russian gas imports, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said Monday.

Szijjarto said Budapest will seek the annulment of the regulation as soon as it is officially published, arguing that the decision violates EU treaties by infringing on member states’ national competence over energy policy.

“We will use every legal means to have it annulled,” Szijjarto said through US social media company X, claiming the bloc’s plan is based on a “legal trick” that disguises a sanctions measure as a trade policy decision in order to bypass the requirement for unanimity.

“This goes completely against the EU’s own rules. The treaties are clear: decisions on the energy mix are a national competence. Banning Hungary from buying oil and gas from Russia goes against our national interest and would significantly increase energy costs for Hungarian families,” he said.

The EU 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 a statement by the EU Council.

The regulation includes strict monitoring requirements, supply diversification obligations, and heavy penalties for violations.

Imports of Russian gas will begin to be restricted six weeks after the regulation enters into force, while 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 authorizing its entry into the bloc. Companies must also notify national authorities and the European Commission of any remaining contracts involving Russian gas.

The regulation sets penalties for non-compliance, including fines of at least €2.5 million (nearly $3 million) for individuals and €40 million ($47.5 million) for companies, or up to 3.5% of a firm’s global annual turnover.