Slovakia and Hungary Criticize Ukraine Over Lukoil Supply Halt

Slovakia and Hungary have expressed strong discontent with Ukraine's recent decision to halt supplies from Russian oil company Lukoil, which has significantly impacted their energy security. The Ukrainian sanctions come in the wake of the European Union's broader ban on Russian oil imports, initiated over two years ago following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This situation has highlighted the ongoing reliance of some EU member states on Russian energy supplies. In response to the supply disruptions, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has proposed a collaborative technical solution involving multiple states to restore the blocked oil flows to Slovak and Hungarian refineries. Fico discussed this matter with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, emphasizing the need for a coordinated approach to address the energy crisis affecting the region. Both Slovakia and Hungary have formally requested the European Commission to engage in discussions with Ukraine regarding the sanctions. Commission spokesperson Olof Gill indicated that the EU is currently reviewing the situation and will make a decision in due course. The Commission had previously granted exemptions to both countries from the Russian oil ban, contingent upon their efforts to secure alternative energy suppliers. Despite these exemptions, neither Slovakia nor Hungary has successfully identified new sources of oil, with Hungary notably increasing its imports from Russia. This ongoing reliance raises concerns about the effectiveness of the EU's sanctions and the energy security of Central European nations.