Hungarian foreign minister threatens countermeasures unless Ukraine reopens Druzhba oil pipeline
Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has once again accused Ukraine of causing his country problems relating to supplies of Russian oil.
Source: Szijjártó on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Szijjártó claimed that Ukraine is "politically blackmailing" Hungary and Slovakia.
Quote from Szijjártó: "There are no technical, engineering-related or physical reasons for not resuming oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline. The reason is purely political. The Ukrainians want us to go into elections with a petrol price of HUF 1,000 (around US$3.10), thereby helping the Tisza party, but we are not stupid!"
Details: The foreign minister asserted that his country "will defend itself", insisting that oil and fuel supplies to Hungary and Slovakia will be ensured.
"If the Ukrainians continue to stand in our way, we are ready to take further joint countermeasures," he added.
Szijjártó also posted a photo of himself with his Slovak counterpart, Juraj Blanar.
Background:
- Hungary is threatening to stop exporting electricity and gas to Ukraine unless Kyiv reopens the Druzhba oil pipeline.
- The statement came after Hungary announced the suspension of diesel supplies to Ukraine.
- The transportation of Russian crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline through Ukraine has been suspended since the end of last month due to large-scale Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
- Slovakia and Hungary have accused Ukraine of refusing to repair the damaged sections of the pipeline.
- The Slovak government has also announced that it is halting supplies of diesel fuel to Ukraine.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!