Hungary to block billions in EU aid until Ukraine lifts Lukoil transit ban
Hungary will withhold a €6.5 billion payment from the European Peace Fund to Ukraine until Kyiv allows Russian company Lukoil to transit its oil through the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary.
Source: Péter Szijjártó, Hungarian Foreign Minister, in an interview with ATV News
Details: Szijjártó stated that Hungary would keep blocking the €6.5 billion aid package from the European Peace Fund until Ukraine lifted the prohibition.
Quote: "I made it clear that until this issue is resolved by Ukraine, the payment of €6.5 billion of compensation for weapons from the European Peace Fund should be forgotten about," he said.
Szijjártó noted that Hungary and Slovakia acquire 33% and 40-45% of Russian Lukoil's crude oil in transit through Ukraine, respectively.
Background:
- Hungary and Slovakia have asked the EU to help persuade Ukraine to resume the transit of Lukoil oil to Eastern Europe.
- In June 2024, Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council expanded the sanctions against Lukoil, adding, among other things, a ban on transit of its oil via Ukraine.
- Neither Hungary nor Slovakia will face fuel shortages after Ukraine banned the transit of Lukoil's oil to Eastern Europe, but prices at their petrol stations may rise.
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