Hungary takes new action after EC refuses to mediate dispute with Ukraine over Russian oil sanctions

On August 24, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto accused the European Commission (EC) of being behind the disruption of oil supplies from Russia via Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia.

The Druzhba pipeline system transports Russian oil to Central European countries via Ukraine. Pictured: Hungarian oil company engineers inspect a receiving point of the Druzhba pipeline system at the Szazhalombata refinery. (Source: AP)

The statement came a day after the EC refused to mediate in a dispute between Ukraine and Hungary and Slovakia over sanctions against Russian oil producer Lukoil.

"The EC's unwillingness to help secure our energy supplies shows that Brussels has instructed Kiev to make it difficult for Hungary and Slovakia to get their energy supplies," said Foreign Minister Szijjarto.

However, the EC spokesman insisted there was no sign that the Ukrainian sanctions threatened European energy supplies, as Russian oil continued to flow through the separate Druzhba pipeline, which also connects Russia to Slovakia and Hungary via Ukraine.

Kiev added Lukoil to its sanctions list in June, blocking the company’s oil from passing through Ukraine to refineries in Slovakia and Hungary. Both countries have protested the move.

Accordingly, Budapest and Bratislava oppose Western allies providing military aid to Ukraine.

The southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Ukraine to the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, is still operating and has been the main source of supply to these countries' refineries for many years.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bi-ec-tu-choi-lam-trung-giai-quyet-tranh-chap-voi-ukraine-ve-lenh-trung-phat-dau-nga-hungary-co-dong-thai-moi-283799.html