As European Union leaders continue to push for an embargo on Russian oil, Hungary’s prime minister insisted on Monday that his country would not support any sanctions that negatively affect Hungary’s energy security.

Addressing Hungary’s parliament, nationalist leader Viktor Orban, after taking an oath of office for a fourth consecutive term, said Hungary would not block EU sanctions as long as they "don't go beyond the red line of Hungary's economic protection."

"That is, as long as they don't jeopardise Hungary's energy security," he added.

Orban said that EU leaders are "convinced that European sanctions can force Russia to its knees … but no matter how hard I try, I can’t remember any continental blockade ever being successful."