Ukraine has accused Hungary and Slovakia of ‘provocation and blackmail’. This followed threats from both countries to stop electricity deliveries to Ukraine unless Ukraine resumes the transit of Russian oil to them.
The tensions arose because Ukraine has not supplied Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia since the end of January. This occurred after a drone attack caused damage to the Druzhba oil pipelines. The Hungarians and Slovaks accuse Ukraine of slow repairs.
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that he will stop emergency deliveries to Ukraine. Hungary’s Viktor Orbán echoed this threat, further pressuring the region’s energy stability, according to Ukraine.
Promotion
EU Meeting
According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these actions are irresponsible and worsen the already severe energy crisis in Ukraine, where many people are without energy supply due to Russian bombings.
Budapest and Bratislava also threaten to block an EU loan of 90 billion euros to Ukraine, which is crucial in the fight against Russia. This loan is needed to mitigate the immediate consequences of the war.
The European Commission has convened an emergency meeting of the Oil Coordination Group to discuss the situation. On Wednesday, the discussion will focus on the Druzhba pipeline.
Commemoration
On Tuesday, an extraordinary session of the full European Parliament will take place in Brussels to commemorate that four years ago President Putin started his war against Ukraine. Ten years earlier, the Russians had already annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea.
Ukraine states it continues to work hard to repair the damaged oil pipelines to Hungary and Austria. Alternative routes for oil supplies are being offered while pipeline repairs continue.
Ukraine emphasizes the necessity of cooperation and appeals to the European Commission for logistical support in restoring energy supplies to these countries.