EU diplomats fuming: Hungary appeals to Brussels for Russian oil assistance
Due to a sanction imposed at the end of June, Ukraine halted Russian oil supplies to Hungary. This decision affected Slovakia as well, prompting both countries to seek help from the European Commission to ensure the uninterrupted flow of Russian oil. However, the European Commission turned down the request, which diplomats found outrageous.
The European Commission does not support Hungary
RTL reports that the European Commission has decided not to support Hungary and Slovakia in the ongoing Lukoil case, making a swift resolution of the dispute over Russian oil supplies, suspended by Ukraine, unlikely. During a recent meeting of EU trade representatives, 11 member states supported the Commission’s stance to refrain from taking immediate action on the Hungarian-Slovak initiative. Notably, no EU member state sided with Budapest and Bratislava in this matter.
Hungarian FM: Ukraine is blackmailing Hungary
Ukrainian sanctions imposed at the end of June have halted Russian Lukoil’s oil supplies to Hungary’s MOL via Ukraine, as Lukoil cannot lease the necessary pipeline network for transit. In response, Hungary‘s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó threatened to block a EUR 6.5 billion arms transfer compensation from the European Peace Facility unless Lukoil is allowed to resume its shipments. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak dismissed claims of blackmail, arguing that Hungary and Slovakia demand concessions for Russia while failing to support peace in Ukraine. He urged them to appeal to Moscow to cease attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Meanwhile, European Commission spokesman Olof Gill indicated that the restriction on Russian oil supplies through Lukoil has no immediate impact on the EU’s oil supply, as Hungary and Slovakia have adequate reserves and continue receiving Russian oil via the Friendship pipeline.
EU diplomats fuming over Hungary’s request for Russian oil
As Politico reports, EU diplomats have criticised Hungary and Slovakia for seeking Brussels’ assistance with the Lukoil issue. Despite having over two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine to reduce their dependency on Russian energy, both countries have made little effort to divest from Russian oil.
Now, they are appealing to the EU to honour the 2014 trade agreement with Kyiv and asking the European Commission to intervene on their behalf. EU officials find the request frustrating, noting that other member states have successfully replaced Russian imports, while Hungary and Slovakia, who have been busy circumventing EU sanctions, continue to rely heavily on Russian oil.
Meanwhile, European Commission spokesman Olof Gill indicated that the restriction on Russian oil supplies through Lukoil has no immediate impact on the EU’s oil supply, as Hungary and Slovakia have adequate reserves and continue receiving oil via the Friendship pipeline.
Read also:
- BREAKING: Ukraine blocks Russian oil imports to Hungary!
- Hungary may receive Russian oil via Croatia, but there’s a huge problem
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