Hungary issues ultimatum to Ukraine for unblocking €6.5 billion in EU weapons aid
Photo: Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó (Getty Images)
Hungary will continue to block the €6.5 billion program to finance military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility until Kyiv resumes Russian oil supplies, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.
According to him, the energy supply of Hungary and Slovakia is at risk, as 33% and 40-45% of their crude oil imports come from the Russian Lukoil company, with the oil transiting through Ukraine.
Szijjártó emphasized that the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement clearly states that Ukraine cannot completely or partially interrupt the transit of energy resources through its territory to EU countries.
In his opinion, it will be difficult for the European Commission to support Ukraine on this issue; however, Hungary will not limit itself to a complaint to the EU.
"I made it clear that until this issue is resolved by Ukraine, everyone should forget about the €6.5 billion compensation for weapons supplies from the European Peace Facility. Because what will it look like to pay 6.5 billion euros, which we contribute to, while Ukraine threatens the security of our energy supply? I believe the situation is crystal clear here, and the European Commission should put pressure on Ukraine to allow the supply of Lukoil oil through Ukraine again," Szijjártó noted.
Transit of Russian oil to Hungary
Recently, Ukraine halted the transit of oil from the Russian Lukoil company to Hungary and Slovakia.
Ukrainian sanctions against Lukoil were imposed back in 2018. However, this year Kyiv decided to boost them and banned oil transit.
Hungary stated that such a decision by Ukraine is unacceptable and incomprehensible.
It was also reported that Hungary might take legal action due to the threat to the country's energy security after Ukraine stopped the transit of oil from the Russian company Lukoil.
