“Today we decided to suspend the supply of diesel oil to Ukraine. Shipments will not be resumed until the transit of oil to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline is restored,” writes the head of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peter Szijjarto, on the X platform.
Read also: Massive explosion, fire and toxic smoke. Russian strike close to the border with Poland
Why did Hungary suspend diesel exports?
As the minister added, the president of Ukraine decided not to resume oil transit for political reasons. “We cannot expect to guarantee another country's energy security while our own supplies are at risk. Energy cooperation must be mutual and based on respect, not pressure,” Szijjarto added.
On January 27, Russia attacked the Druzhba pipeline, as a result of which the transit of Russian oil towards Slovakia and Hungary was suspended. Previously, this pipeline had already been attacked by Ukrainian forces on Russian territory, which sparked criticism from Hungary and Slovakia.
As Ukraińska Pravda adds, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico ordered the suspension of diesel exports to Ukraine after suspending the operation of the Druzhba oil pipeline.
“Slovnaft is suspending the export of diesel oil to Ukraine. Everything processed in the country, in Slovakia, will now be destined for the Slovak market,” said the prime minister, quoted by the website.
Read also: Another Russian attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Poland responds to the appeal for help
Why do Hungary and Slovakia import oil from Russia?
It is worth recalling that the European Union has imposed an embargo on the import of Russian oil by member states. However, an exception is made for the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary because they are landlocked and dependent on this infrastructure.
Read also: The Ukrainian minister attacks Orban's government. “They can't even pronounce it.”
The “Friendship” pipeline is the largest installation of this type in the world and connects Siberia with Central Europe. It was created in the years 1960–1974. It consists of approx. 8.9 thousand. km of pipelines. During the Cold War, it supplied Soviet oil through two “threads” to Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland and the GDR.
