Kiev is blackmailing Hungary and Slovakia by halting oil transport from Russia across Ukrainian territory because of their position on the Ukraine crisis in favor of peace and a ceasefire, Gergely Gulyas, minister of the Hungarian prime minister's office, said at a press conference on Friday.
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After Thursday’s cabinet meeting, an extraordinary government press briefing was called for Friday morning.
In addition to the usual participants – Gergely Gulyás, minister responsible for the Prime Minister’s Office, and Government Spokesperson Eszter Vitályos – the press event was also attended by EU Affairs Minister János Bóka.
“Ukraine is blackmailing Hungary and Slovakia, the countries that have consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks, by cutting off oil supplies,†Gergely Gulyás said at the beginning of the press briefing.
As Lukoil is currently unable to supply Hungary, he said, Hungary cannot maintain its security of supply.
“If the situation is not resolved, there could be a fuel shortage, we have to find a solution by September,†he said.
EU Affairs Minister János Bóka noted that relations between the EU and Ukraine were governed by the Association Agreement, several points of which Ukraine had violated.
If this does not lead to a result, juidical procedure could be launched, that would give rise to a number of possible responses, he added. Furthermore, the Hungarian government is also investigating whether Ukraine’s oil supply restrictions violate WTO (World Trade Organization) and energy charter rules.
Last week, Hungary and Slovakia stopped receiving pipeline oil from the Russian oil company Lukoil shipped via the Druzhba pipeline due to a transit ban imposed by Ukraine.
Kiev tightened sanctions on Lukoil last month, thus effectively banning oil transport to Central Europe across Ukraine via the Druzhba pipeline.
Lukoil is a major supplier to Hungary, where it accounts for around one third of crude imports, and to Slovakia with 40%-45%. ■