Hungary Seeks EU Action Against Ukraine Over Oil Ban
- Hungary requests assistance from the EU due to an energy crunch caused by Ukraine's oil ban.
- Budapest faces challenges after Kyiv restricts Moscow's oil transiting through the country.
- The European Union may play a crucial role in resolving the energy dispute between Hungary, Ukraine, and Russia.
Budapest has formally requested the European Union to intervene following Ukraine's partial ban on Russian oil exports, which Hungary claims threatens its energy security. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó expressed concerns during a meeting with EU envoys in Brussels, stating that Hungary relies on Russia for 70 percent of its oil imports, with Lukoil supplying half of that. He described Ukraine's decision as "unacceptable," arguing it jeopardizes Hungary's oil supply. The situation has escalated tensions between Hungary and Ukraine, which have already been strained. Hungary, along with Slovakia, is now in discussions with the European Commission, potentially paving the way for legal action against Ukraine. This diplomatic rift follows recent criticism from Kyiv directed at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Ukraine viewed as a provocative gesture amid ongoing conflicts. Analysts suggest that Hungary's reliance on Russian oil has only increased since the EU granted it an exemption to reduce imports. Isaac Levy from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air noted that Hungary's imports of Russian oil via the pipeline have surged by over 50 percent since 2021, contradicting the EU's intentions. Despite the gravity of the situation, Hungary's energy ministry has refrained from commenting, and both the foreign ministry and the European Commission have not responded to inquiries regarding the matter.