After a three-week stalemate in negotiations, state and government heads of EU nations managed to work out a deal on Russian oil in the early hours of Tuesday.

Later in the morning after, MEP Guy Verhofstadt levels harsh criticism against the agreement.

”A shameless ’compromise’ on sanctions,” writes Verhoftstadt on Twitter:

”We [the EU, -ed.] will still buy Russian oil for the rest of the year & finance Putin’s war machine & even afterwards countries like Hungary get an exception!”

Verhofstadt, who has formerly served as prime minister of Belgium and leader of the European Parliament’s ALDE group, points out that although President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Charles Michel highlight the agreement as a major blow to Russia, procurement of Russian oil will continue for some time yet.

The goal is to phase out Russian oil delivered by ship before the end of the year. Russian oil supplies through pipelines remain exempt, however. That means that nations like Hungary will be able to continue purchasing Russian oil next year.

”Enough is enough,” writes Verhoftstadt: ”Time to end unanimity & veto rights!”

Sanctions must be unanimously agreed upon by all 27 EU nations. As a result, Hungary has had the right to veto the sixth package of sanctions.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has leveraged this right to institute an exemption from the sanctions. Hungary takes delivery of Russian oil through pipelines, which are exempt per the new agreement.

However, the plan is to find a solution to stopping procurement of oil via pipelines as quickly as possible. But Orbán demanded help to solve issues involving Hungary’s energy supply before being willing to take such a step.

”Hungary’s position is very simple because energy is a serious issue. We need solutions before carrying out sanctions,” said Orbán.

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó has previously made it clear that Hungary needs European investments in the range of EUR 15-18bn to restructure its energy supply.

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