Hungary is considering halting power and gas exports to Ukraine if Ukraine does not resume Russian oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline. This statement was made by Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff during a briefing. Hungary and Slovakia are the only EU countries still using Russian oil from the Druzhba pipeline, which stopped flowing on January 27 due to damage from a drone attack. Both countries plan to use state oil reserves, with Slovakia approving a loan for this purpose.
Hungary and Slovakia have accused Ukraine of delaying the restart of oil flows for political reasons, leading to their halt of diesel exports to Ukraine. Orban has opposed Ukraine’s EU membership bid and maintained good relations with Russia throughout the war. Gulyas mentioned that Hungary is considering stopping electricity and gas supplies to Ukraine unless oil shipments resume. Slovakia’s Prime Minister also suggested halting emergency electricity supplies.
Hungary and Slovakia have provided a significant portion of Ukraine’s imported power, with Hungary supplying a third of Ukraine’s gas. Hungary is also seeking an exemption from EU sanctions to import seaborne Russian oil through the Adriatic pipeline.
With information from Reuters
