Budapest has changed its position on electricity for Ukraine: what happened
22 February 21:15
Hungary has changed its rhetoric regarding the possible suspension of electricity supplies to Ukraine. After loud statements about possible restrictions, Budapest is now talking about the need for “special caution.”
This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing a statement by Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.
What Szijjártó said
According to the Hungarian minister, the issue of electricity exports was discussed during a government energy council meeting. He said that the suspension of supplies could negatively affect residents of Transcarpathia, where ethnic Hungarians live.
“We must act with particular caution, because the cessation of electricity exports will primarily affect Transcarpathia and create problems for families living on the other side of the border,” Szijjártó said.
He also added that Budapest’s dispute is allegedly not with the citizens of Ukraine, but with the Ukrainian authorities.
What preceded it
The day before, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán threatened to stop supplying electricity to Ukraine if oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline was not resumed.
Later, Szijjártó said that Budapest intends to block the adoption of the 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia, accusing Ukraine of allegedly unwillingness to repair the oil pipeline.
Ukraine under pressure from Hungary
Recall that the situation surrounding the Druzhba oil pipeline has caused a new escalation in relations between Kyiv and Budapest.
