Slovakia's government proposed a solution to Ukraine on Friday to restore blocked Russian oil supplies to Slovak and Hungarian refineries. Both countries have been affected by Ukrainian sanctions on Russian oil, which have halted flows through Ukraine. This comes more than two years after the European Union banned Russian oil imports, exposing some EU member states' continued dependence on Russia's energy supplies.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico discussed the issue with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and proposed a solution involving several states, including Slovakia. Slovak and Hungarian officials have criticized the halt of Lukoil's supplies, stating that the cutoffs threaten their energy security. Both countries have called on the European Commission to begin formal talks with Ukraine.
The Commission granted both central European countries an exemption from the bloc's ban in 2022, provided they find alternative suppliers. Neither country has done so, while Hungary's oil and gas imports from Russia have increased. Hungary has until September to resolve a dispute with Ukraine over the transit of crude from Lukoil before fuel shortages set in.
Ukraine has sharpened sanctions against Lukoil PJSC over Russia’s invasion, effectively prohibiting the company from using Ukraine as a transit route. This has impacted Hungary and Slovakia, which obtained exemptions from European Union energy sanctions on Russia.
Hungary has threatened to block the disbursement of €6.5 billion from the European Peace Facility for Ukrainian military aid until Kyiv allows the transit of Lukoil oil. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that Lukoil supplies represent 33% of Hungary's crude oil imports and 40-45% of Slovakia's imports.
The dispute over Russian oil deliveries continues, with senior Ukrainian official Mykhailo Podolyak rejecting claims that Kyiv is trying to blackmail Hungary and Slovakia. Podolyak stated that the move to restrict oil flow has nothing to do with blackmail but noted that Budapest and Bratislava were not working toward peace in Ukraine and were insisting on concessions to Russia.
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