Hungary, Slovakia appeal to EU over aggressive Ukraine
Date
7/23/2024 7:41:39 AM
(MENAFN) Hungary and Slovakia have appealed to the European Commission regarding Ukraine’s recent decision to halt the pipeline transit of Russian crude oil, a move they have labeled as "hostile." Despite the European Union's sanctions on Russian crude oil imports to Germany and Poland, Slovakia and Hungary were granted exemptions. However, Ukraine’s decision to cut off the oil flow last week, citing its own sanctions against the Russian energy company Lukoil, has sparked significant concern in Budapest and Bratislava.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, speaking in Brussels, criticized Ukraine’s actions as “hostile,” particularly given that Ukraine imports electricity from Hungary. Szijjarto reported that he had discussed the matter with the Ukrainian foreign minister, who claimed that all oil transfers were permitted, a statement Szijjarto disputed. Both Hungary and Slovakia have requested consultations with the European Commission to address the issue. Slovakian Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar has confirmed this request.
Szijjarto warned that if the European Commission does not address their concerns within three days, Hungary and Slovakia would consider legal action. He suggested that if Ukraine does not resume the oil transit, the European Union might be justified in suspending certain provisions of Ukraine’s association agreement with the European Union. This agreement was recently symbolically reinforced when the European Union approved the start of membership negotiations with Ukraine as a show of support amid its conflict with Russia.
In response to the situation, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico reached out to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal to express his frustration over what he described as “senseless” sanctions. Fico warned that the blockade could leave Slovakia 40 percent short of its oil needs and might force Slovnaft, a key Slovakian company, to halt oil deliveries to Ukraine. This interruption would impact about 10 percent of Ukraine’s oil consumption. Fico emphasized that Slovakia does not wish to become entangled in the geopolitical tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
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