Hungary rejects new sanctions against Russia blaming Ukraine to "blackmail"

According to Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, Ukraine's decision not to resume oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary constitutes "political blackmail," Index reported. This was the conclusion of a meeting of the Energy Security Council convened by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Szijjártó noted that on Monday, a decision on the 20th EU sanctions package against Russia was planned to be adopted at the EU ministers' summit, but this will be blocked. The same applies to all decisions concerning Ukraine until oil supplies are resumed.

He recalled that Kiev had decided this week not to resume oil transit, which, according to him, would cause gasoline prices to rise to 1,000 forints (€2.64) and disrupt supplies in Hungary.

The government responded by releasing part of its strategic oil reserves and securing the missing volumes through purchases abroad. At the same time, it stopped diesel supplies to Ukraine and is blocking a payment of 90 billion euros, referred to as a "war loan."

They are also seeking a solution in the form of cutting off electricity supplies to Ukraine, which account for about 40 percent. The government will not shut down the system for the time being so as not to affect the Hungarian community in the Transcarpathian region. Slovakia is also considering the same step if Kiev does not resume supplies by Monday.

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