Hungary will not support any package of EU sanctions against Russia that includes the nuclear sector on the grounds of energy security, foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said.

Press reports have suggested the bloc’s next package sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine will include nuclear energy technologies.

Szijjarto, quoted by Hungarian media, said: “Hungary will not accept EU sanctions that threaten the country’s interests, such as energy security.”

The Magyar Nezmet newspaper quoted Szijjarto as saying that “several foreign ministers from various countries have already indicated they would support the nuclear sanctions, but “this is a red line for Hungary that we will not cross”.