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Hungary to Block EU Sanctions on Russia Over Halted Oil Shipments
(MENAFN) Hungary has announced it will prevent the European Union from adopting its 20th sanctions package against Russia until Ukraine resumes crude oil deliveries to the country via the Druzhba pipeline, according to reports.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto stated in a video message following a meeting of Hungary’s Energy Security Council that the nation will oppose the sanctions during Monday’s EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels and maintain its stance until oil transit is restored.
“As long as the Ukrainians do not restart oil transport to Hungary, we will not let go of decisions that are important to them,” Szijjarto said. He characterized Ukraine’s earlier decision not to resume shipments as “political blackmail” intended to disrupt fuel supplies and push up petrol prices ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary elections.
The minister added that Hungary has responded by tapping part of its strategic crude reserves and securing alternative supplies via maritime routes. He also noted that the country has suspended diesel exports to Ukraine—previously about 10 percent of Ukraine’s imports—and is working to block a planned 90-billion-euro EU loan to Ukraine.
Separately, Prime Minister Viktor Orban posted on social media that Hungary would not “stand idly by” while the Druzhba pipeline remains closed. “We will ensure Hungary's fuel supply and take appropriate countermeasures until shipments are restarted by Ukraine,” Orban wrote.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto stated in a video message following a meeting of Hungary’s Energy Security Council that the nation will oppose the sanctions during Monday’s EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels and maintain its stance until oil transit is restored.
“As long as the Ukrainians do not restart oil transport to Hungary, we will not let go of decisions that are important to them,” Szijjarto said. He characterized Ukraine’s earlier decision not to resume shipments as “political blackmail” intended to disrupt fuel supplies and push up petrol prices ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary elections.
The minister added that Hungary has responded by tapping part of its strategic crude reserves and securing alternative supplies via maritime routes. He also noted that the country has suspended diesel exports to Ukraine—previously about 10 percent of Ukraine’s imports—and is working to block a planned 90-billion-euro EU loan to Ukraine.
Separately, Prime Minister Viktor Orban posted on social media that Hungary would not “stand idly by” while the Druzhba pipeline remains closed. “We will ensure Hungary's fuel supply and take appropriate countermeasures until shipments are restarted by Ukraine,” Orban wrote.
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