Fuel shortages are looming: Hungary panics as Russian oil transit stops
26 July 2024 12:41
Representatives of the Hungarian authorities have started talking about blackmail from Ukraine in the form of stopping the transit of Russian oil. This was stated in particular by the head of the Office of the President of Hungary, Gergely Gyasi, according to "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to telex.
According to the official, Ukraine is blackmailing Hungary and Slovakia by blocking oil supplies. If the situation does not change, he claims, there may be a fuel shortage. There are still reserves, but a solution needs to be found by September, Gujas said.
Meanwhile, the Hungarian authorities claim that Ukraine is putting Hungary in an impossible and unacceptable situation.
“It should be noted that the ability to receive cheap Russian raw materials is part of the EU’s economic success,” he said,
– gyasi added.
Therefore, Hungary accused Ukraine of violating the Association Agreement and threatened Ukraine with a lawsuit.
Hungary vs Ukraine
Today’s Hungary is a long-time supporter of Russia and an enemy of Ukraine. Among other things, Hungary is delaying the adoption of legislation that would allow Ukraine to receive up to €2 billion from the EU for weapons at the expense of profits from frozen Russian assets.
After a lengthy debate, EU member states agreed in May to use the proceeds of about €190 billion of frozen Russian assets held in the Belgian depository Euroclear to buy weapons for Ukraine. However, Hungary opposed this, refusing to provide unanimous EU support for each payment to Ukraine. At the same time, Hungary does not seem to object in general, but has concerns about the automation of payments.
The situation is complicated by the fact that Hungary took over the EU presidency for six months on 1 July, which will give it more influence, making it even harder for EU officials to convince it.
At the same time, Hungary will not block NATO’s decisions on Ukraine, but it will not support them either.
Meanwhile, the EU is looking for a new strategy: how to help Ukraine without Hungary’s consent.
More news in the Kommersant Ukrainian telegram channel – https://t.me/komersant_ukrainskyi.
