Hungary says EU is behind blockade of Russian oil via Ukraine. Hungary's foreign minister said Brussels' decision not to mediate the dispute indicates Brussels is behind the blockade.
Hungary and Slovakia have been protesting since Ukraine placed Russian oil producer Lukoil on its sanctions list in June, preventing oil from being transported via Ukrainian territory to Slovak and Hungarian refineries.
Hungary and Slovakia are heavily dependent on oil supplies, as most of their refineries operate on Russian oil delivered via the Druzhba pipeline. Hungary claims that the sanctions imposed by Ukraine on Lukoil endanger their national energy security.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has sharply criticized the EU, saying Brussels is complicit in the disruption of oil supplies. According to Szijjártó, the EU is not only harming Hungary's energy supply with these sanctions, but also the country's economic stability.
The European Commission, on the other hand, insists that sanctions against Russia are necessary as part of a broader strategy to isolate Moscow economically over its war on Ukraine. The EU insists that all EU countries, including Hungary and Slovakia, must diversify their energy sources to reduce dependence on Russian energy.
The European Commission stresses that the sanctions are intended to punish Russia and not to harm individual member states, but recognises the challenges some countries face.
Hungary and Slovakia have repeatedly opposed Brussels’ hard line on Russia and support for Ukraine within the EU. This oil import controversy is just the latest in a series of conflicts between Hungary and the EU, with Budapest often at odds with Brussels over its handling of the war in Ukraine and the EU’s broader policy toward Russia.
Hungary has indicated it is exploring alternatives to resume oil supplies, but the current standoff with the European Commission leaves little room for a quick solution.