Hungary and Slovakia have jointly initiated a consultation procedure at the European Union against Ukraine in connection with an “unexpected and unfriendly move” which involved partially halting crude oil supplies, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Monday.
The ministry cited Szijjártó telling a press conference after the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels that the Ukrainian decision to stop Russian oil company Lukoil’s crude oil transits had severely endangered energy supplies for Hungary and Slovakia.
He said that energy supplies were not a matter of politics but infrastructure, and considering that there were no alternative routes, Hungary’s crude oil needs could not be resolved without Russian resources. As a result, Hungary, together with Slovakia and Czechia, has been granted exemption from EU sanctions in terms of imports, he added.
He also said that Lukoil provided one-third of Hungary’s and 45 percent of Slovakia’s crude oil imports, and the Ukrainian ban therefore posed a fundamental threat to the two countries’ energy security.
“This is an unacceptable and incomprehensible decision from a country that wants to be an EU member, and with a single decision it endangers the crude oil supplies of two countries,” he said.
For the time being, the situation could be stabilised with temporary solutions but the security of crude oil supplies for Hungary and Slovakia cannot be guaranteed without Lukoil supplies even in the medium term, he said
“As a result, we have been in continual consultations with the Slovak government in order to resolve the situation. Yesterday I also talked to the Ukrainian foreign minister by phone and he said there were naturally no problems and all transits were allowed through Ukraine, but this is obviously no true,” Szijjártósaid.
“Lukoil supplies have not been able to arrive in Hungary for several weeks … with this new regulation Ukraine prohibited the transit of crude oil supplies from Lukoil,” he added.
Szijjártósaid this violated the EU-Ukraine association agreement which stated that Kyiv must not disrupt the transit of energy to members of the bloc. In line with the agreement, in such case the affected member state can immediately launch a consultation procedure and the European Commission is obliged to represent the state in the matter, he added.
If the issue cannot be resolved, then there is an option to set up a chosen court and proceedings to be executed within forty days, and if even that does not bring a solution, then the EU is authorised to not fulfil some of its contractual obligations, such as in the area of the customs duties exemptions.
“Today jointly with Slovakia we initiated at the European Commission the launch of consultations that precede the chosen court proceedings,” he said. “It is an urgent matter because the security of energy supplies is an acute issue, and the European Commission therefore has three days to carry out the consultations with Ukraine, and failing that, the chosen court will start dispute settlement proceedings,” he added.
The minister said that the two countries were simultaneously working on various legal and technical solutions in order to ensure that in case the consultations failed, the court dispute settlement proceedings could start.
“We have been continually in contact and certain solutions have been taking shape that could secure energy supplies in the long term,” he said.
Szijjártósaid the Ukrainian decision was “unfriendly and unexpected” also in light of the fact that 42 percent of the country’s electricity imports arrived from Hungary in June.
He said that despite all the criticism it was receiving, Hungary was continually aiding Ukraine’s energy supply “in these hard times”.
The company that operates Hungary’s electricity network is making serious efforts to help Ukraine connect with the European network, he said.
Additionally, next to Poland, Slovakia and Hungary granted rapid aid to Ukraine for the operation of its energy system, Szijjártó said.
Now the Hungarians politicians start to cry. So predictable. Better to buy gold or something cause forin will lose a lot of its value soon
Ukraine is losing. Ukraine cannot be trusted since they do not live up to agreements. The EU will not benefit from Ukraine joining the club.
Oh my, Maria from the front lines declared that Ukraine is loosing! They do not live up to agreements, you mean like the agreements to the rule of law that your paramour Victor has been breaking for years? You really are coming from a weak point here, and from so far away from us here suffering your politics in Hungary!
If this doesn’t get fixed soon, then start treating Ukraine as a hostile state. Close the border, expel Ukrainian “refugees,” and impose sanctions on it and its officials. And, of course, not another thin cent in any kind of aid to them.
1) Ukraine has asked over a year ago those who are still using Russian gas to find another source in case they choose to cut off to minimize damage.
2) 10 months ago the same Siijiarto was interviewed by Turkish media saying they now use Turkish like to be more safe, laughing at same time. He ain’t laughing now. And seems they weren’t really doing anything to secure themselves.
Ha..:. So the Orban russian oil sucking is a problem. Why the F should Ukraine give in to a back stabbing Putin lover… now come the pleading to the EU who he and his corrupt cronies have demonised. Game on!
Ukraine was always hostile, more Russian then Russia.
There can be and WILL be just one WINNER and it won’t be the Orban – Fidesz Government.
The – POWER in the end of DEMOCRACY – sooner than later will HUMILIATE and CRUSH – the name Victor Mihaly. Orban and his Fidesz Government.
Retribution against HUNGARY – through Orban and his “Mob” they are in the process of a Humongous STUFFING.
Orban – the PRESSURIZATION on him, with the Economic and Financial collapsing process worsening daily, that he just continues on j HUMILIATING and Embarrassing the name of Hungary.
Hungria favorável Ucrania… ???? Ou aos russos???? Ucrania não abaixa a cabeça para Russia…. Hungria é favorável RUSSIA? Desde quando??? Simcsik tibor. FCVrom Brasil.
There’s Michael once again out of touch with reality. Treat Ukraine as a hostile state when Victor goes and kisses up to the war criminal who has tried to destroy Ukraine? HAHAHAHAHAHA! No money to Ukriane? Hungary is broke! We have NEVER been a net contributor to the EU, EVER. All the Ukainians only passed through Hungary, we are the poorest country in the EU, nobody wants to stay here, even Hungarians!
Hungarian politicians have stood with russia again and again and called for unconditional Ukrainian surrender (their definition of ‘peace’).
then when Ukraine stops the oil they whine like little kids….
So disgusting.
Hungary a weak little country of no special relevance with a leader who imagines the Austro Hungarian Empire still exists, and that’s he very important. For two and a half years this war has raged and Hungary has done all it can to prevent every form of aid to Ukraine, hostile in many actions. Then it expects what? Ukraine to not eventually lose patience and do what is within its power to sanction the oil of its invader as it wishes? This is what Hungary and to a lesser extent Slovakia have to realise. The war involves everyone on the continent, business as usual is not possible and if they pick the side of the aggressor then they cannot expect to avoid negative consequences for their decisions. Realpolitik and choices THEY made coming home to roost. Let them cry and wail, welcome to geopolitics.
This harassing move by the Kiev government to cut off oil from Russia in retaliation for the Hungarian government’s efforts for peace is infinitely shameless, cowardly and disgusting.
The people who will suffer most from this oil supply cut are the ordinary Hungarian citizens who have nothing to do with the Ukrainian-Russian war and are completely innocent.Such acts of causing great inconvenience, aggression and harm to innocent people are clearly criminal acts and the Kiev government should be socially punished.
If other EU countries were to cover up or support the Kiev government’s misdeeds, the EU contries would be seen as a villain who aids in these misdeeds. The same would be true if the EU were to turn a blind eye to these misdeeds.
The Hungarian government continues to provide Ukraine with the support mentioned by Szijjártó in this war.At the civilian level, Hungary is accepting many refugees from Ukraine, and when the crisis first began, many Hungarians provided supplies and sent donations.
Such actions by the Kiev regime are a betrayal of the Hungarian government and the general public. Personally, I am astonished by the ungrateful attitude of the Kiev regime.Does the Kiev regime really think that it will receive support and encouragement for engaging in such despicable behavior?
If that’s the case, they’re just a bunch of hopelessly stupid, deluded bastards.
I never want to support or encourage people like this, and I can NOT understand people who support or encourage such evil people AT ALL.
This harassing move by the Kiev government to cut off oil from Russia in retaliation for the Hungarian government’s efforts for peace is infinitely shameless, cowardly and disgusting.
The people who will suffer most from this oil supply cut are the ordinary Hungarian citizens who have nothing to do with the Ukrainian-Russian war and are completely innocent.Such acts of causing great inconvenience, aggression and harm to innocent people are clearly criminal acts and the Kiev government should be socially punished.
If other EU countries were to cover up or support the Kiev government’s misdeeds, the EU contries would be seen as a villain who aids in these misdeeds. The same would be true if the EU were to turn a blind eye to these misdeeds.
The Hungarian government continues to provide Ukraine with the support mentioned by Szijjártó in this war.At the civilian level, Hungary is accepting many refugees from Ukraine, and when the crisis first began, many Hungarians provided supplies and sent donations.
Such actions by the Kiev regime are a betrayal of the Hungarian government and the general public. Personally, I am astonished by the ungrateful attitude of the Kiev regime.Does the Kiev regime really think that it will receive support and encouragement for engaging in such despicable behavior?
If that’s the case, they’re just a bunch of hopelessly stupid, deluded bastards.
I never want to support or encourage people like this, and I can NOT understand people who support or encourage such evil people at all.