Hungary backs off on electricity deal with Ukraine: New reason revealed
Photo: Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary Péter Szijjártó (GettyImages)
Hungary has softened its rhetoric on the possible halt of electricity supplies to Ukraine, citing a new reason. After earlier loud statements about potential restrictions, Budapest now speaks of the need for "special caution," according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.
Read also: Slovak PM Fico threatens to stop sending electricity to Ukraine
What Szijjártó said
According to the Hungarian minister, the issue of electricity exports was discussed during the government’s energy council. He stated that stopping supplies could negatively affect residents of Zakarpattia, where ethnic Hungarians live.
"Care must be taken, as halting electricity exports will primarily affect Zakarpattia and create problems for families living across the border," Szijjártó said.
He also added that Budapest’s dispute is not with the citizens of Ukraine, but with the Ukrainian authorities.
What happened earlier
The day before, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán threatened to stop electricity supplies to Ukraine if oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline is not restored.
Later, Szijjártó stated that Budapest intends to block the adoption of the EU's 20th sanctions package against Russia, accusing Ukraine of allegedly being unwilling to repair the pipeline.
At the same time, ExPro Consulting energy market analyst Darya Orlova told RBC-Ukraine that EU energy system operators do not make such decisions independently, as their work is coordinated within the European network ENTSO-E.
Ukraine under pressure from Hungary
The situation around the Druzhba pipeline has caused a new escalation in relations between Kyiv and Budapest.
We previously reported that Hungary had already threatened countermeasures over the suspension of Russian oil transit.
Subsequently, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán officially blocked a critically important €90 billion loan for Ukraine, linking the financial assistance issue to the energy situation.
Meanwhile, experts are analyzing whether Ukraine can withstand the energy pressure and what legal consequences may arise from a pipeline shutdown.
In addition, at the EU level, discussions continue regarding possible demands for Ukraine to urgently restore infrastructure to resume oil transit.
