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Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó criticized Ukraine for jeopardizing Hungarian and Slovak national security by blocking the oil transit from Russia’s Lukoil.
Speaking in Brussels at an informal EU foreign affairs council, Mr. Szijjártó accused Ukraine of undermining energy security by obstructing about a third of Hungary’s oil imports and 40-45% of Slovakia’s. He stated, “the energy supply of a country is a matter of national security. Therefore, if the energy security of a country is threatened by another country, the national security interests of the targeted country are also threatened.”
The politician also expressed frustration with the European Commission, suggesting that the EU is either too weak to act or complicit in instructing Kyiv to impose these restrictions.
He emphasized, “it is disappointing that either the European Union is so weak, or that they are so brazenly hiding behind Kiev in an attempt to force a change in the pro-Hungarian and pro-Slovak peace position.”
The Foreign Minister also criticized the EU’s response to Ukraine’s actions and underscored Hungary’s crucial role in supporting Ukraine’s energy security, noting that 42% of Ukrainian electricity imports come via Hungary.
Péter Szijjártó stressed that Hungary is seeking a long-term solution through ongoing negotiations with Russian suppliers and the Ukrainian system operator but reiterated that the resolution of this issue should be handled either by Ukraine restoring the previous status quo or the EU taking decisive action.
Via MTI; Featured Image: Facebook / Szijjártó Péter