Reuters: Hungary PM, reeling from pipeline set-back, blames Brussels

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused Brussels on Friday of sabotaging the Russian-backed South Stream gas pipeline project, which was scrapped this week in a setback to his strategy of closer ties with the Kremlin.

Orban has tried to secure supplies of energy and trade for Hungary by doing deals with Moscow, but that drew criticism from Western governments which say he should not be cosying up to Russia when it has sent troops into Ukraine.

Moscow's decision to cancel South Stream - which would have shipped Russian gas under the Black Sea and then north through central Europe - is a loss of face for Orban, his critics say, though not bad enough to threaten his grip on power.  MORE