HUNGARY is set to torpedo the European Union’s proposed oil ban on Russia at next week’s leaders summit which could derail approval for the bloc’s latest sanctions package. 

Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote to European Council chief Charles Michel, saying that his country would not drop its opposition to the latest restrictions until all outstanding issues are resolved. 

“Looking at the gravity of the issues still open, it is very unlikely that a comprehensive solution could be found before the special meeting of the European Council on 30-31 May,” he wrote.

“I am convinced that discussing the sanctions package at the level of leaders in the absence of a consensus would be counterproductive.”

Mr Orban has said that the sanctions package, which includes a ban on Russian oil, would cause “serious supply problems” for Hungary with a detrimental impact on its economy. 

Both Italy and Germany also face job losses of up to 500,000 as a result of the oil restrictions with Rome considering a renewed state of emergency amid fears the country will slide into recession. 

The EU remains bitterly divided, requiring unanimous agreement from all 27 member states to agree each set of sanctions. 

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has said she hoped to secure the oil embargo within days.

“What we are looking at is one or two member states that are landlocked, so cannot have oil via the sea and need alternatives in pipelines and in refineries, and there we are trying to find solutions,” she said.

But Mr Orban said that Hungary cannot support the measures as there “are no [funding] envelopes for the most concerned landlocked member states,” stressing that he remains open to discussions on the ban “with a pragmatic and result-oriented approach.”

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck remained optimistic and said he hoped a deal could be reached.