(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JUL 23 - Hungary appears to be accelerating plans to build a new oil pipeline to Serbia. "We are moving forward with Serbian and Russian partners to build a new oil pipeline between Hungary and Serbia. While Brussels bans Russian energy, reduces connections, and closes routes, we require more sources and routes. Hungary will not be affected by these disastrous decisions," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szjjjarto stated recently on X. The move by Viktor Orban's government comes just days after the 18th package of sanctions against Moscow was approved, which includes an oil price cap and a ban on Russian gas entering the EU. Construction on the pipeline, which is expected to be 128 kilometres long, is set to begin in 2026, pending final trade agreements and capacity assessments. The project will connect Serbia to the "Druzhba" oil pipeline network via Hungary. All three countries' governments have expressed political support for the project, according to the specialised portal BNE Intellinews. "I asked Minister Foti what Europe's and Italy's position is on the project to build a new oil pipeline between Serbia and Hungary, which would allow oil to be transported from Russia beginning in 2027," said Italian Senator Tatjana Rojc during a hearing before the Senate's EU Policies Committee. "These are aspects that need to be clarified," Rojc explained, "in light of the eighteenth package of sanctions against Russia and the parallel statements by Minister Szijjarto regarding the oil pipeline to be developed between the Serbian company Transnafta and the Hungarian company Mol, which is supplied with Russian crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline system." (ANSA).