Hungary announced on Monday plans to build a new oil pipeline with Serbia, aimed at solidifying its imports of Russian crude, even as the European Union intensifies efforts to sever its reliance on Moscow's energy supplies.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed securing an agreement with “Serbian and Russian colleagues” for the pipeline project that would see the two EU member states bypass restrictions and continue importing Russian gas, which fuels a significant portion of their economies. 

The move comes as the EU actively negotiates a complete ban on Russian gas imports by 2027 and explores extending the prohibition to pipeline oil.

In a social media post, Szijjártó criticized the EU's push to ban Russian fossil fuels, claiming it has driven up energy prices significantly. 

"Brussels is forcibly dismantling energy ties, banning Russian energy sources and blocking supply routes," he wrote.

The proposed pipeline, which could be operational as early as 2027, was discussed during a video conference between Szijjártó, Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin, and Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović, according to state-controlled news agency MTI. 

However, only a few specifics about the agreement with Moscow and Belgrade were immediately available.

Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has consistently prioritized keeping domestic energy costs low and has been a vocal critic of EU sanctions against Russian energy. 

Szijjártó reiterated this stance, stating, "We will not allow this. We will build pipelines and open up new sources of supply, and so maintain Europe’s lowest energy bills for the Hungarian people.” 

This position is also supported by recent data, which indicates that Hungarian households have the lowest gas bills in the EU at €3.20 ($3.74), compared to other EU countries such as the Netherlands and Sweden, with €16.71 ($19.55) and €18.93 ($22.15), respectively. 

Hungary, alongside Slovakia, has repeatedly blocked unanimous EU attempts to impose economic sanctions on Russian oil and gas. 

However, a new EU energy package under negotiation would require only a qualified majority to pass, potentially overcoming such obstructions.