Hungary and Slovakia Seek EU Help for Russian Oil Dependence

Slovakia and Hungary have jointly called for immediate intervention from the European Commission (EC) to halt Russian oil supplies, as stated by Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár following a meeting with Hungarian Ambassador Csaba Balogh. The ministers have raised concerns that Ukraine's sanctions against Lukoil, a major Russian oil firm, are obstructing oil transit, which they argue violates the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. Blanár emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that delays could lead to fuel shortages in both countries. The two nations are seeking assistance from Brussels after struggling to reduce their energy dependence on Russia. They contend that the sanctions imposed by Ukraine are detrimental to their oil imports, which could be reduced by a third. In response, they have formally requested the EC to engage in discussions with Ukraine, citing a legal obligation for the Commission to act within three days. Meanwhile, Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has indicated that Hungary will withhold EU military aid to Ukraine until the sanctions are lifted. Despite the EU's broader efforts to reduce reliance on Russian oil following the invasion of Ukraine, Hungary has increased its oil imports from Russia. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has also threatened to cut diesel exports to Ukraine unless sanctions are lifted, while proposing a "technical solution" to restore blocked supplies. Both countries are exploring alternative sources of oil, including non-Russian imports from Croatia, as they navigate the complex geopolitical landscape.