Ukraine’s decision to suspend the transit of oil from Russian group Lukoil to Hungary and Slovakia was in accordance with Kyiv’s sanctions against the company and had nothing to do with blackmail, Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak told Reuters on Friday, rejecting a Hungarian statement.
Last month, Kyiv adopted sanctions blocking the transit of Russian crude through the Druzhba pipeline, raising concerns about supply shortages in Hungary and Slovakia. In response, Hungary and Slovakia lodged a complaint with the European Commission on Monday, citing an association agreement they claimed prevents Ukraine from blocking oil transit.
An aide to Hungary’s prime minister accused Ukraine of blackmailing Hungary and Slovakia by halting oil deliveries. Podolyak refuted this accusation, stating, “The situation with the suspension of Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia has nothing to do with blackmail in the Ukrainian version.”
Podolyak further criticized Hungary and Slovakia, saying they do not advocate for peace and justice but seek concessions for Russia. He accused them of opposing the European Union’s stance, which supports Kyiv in its conflict with Russia, and suggested they urge the Kremlin to stop attacking Ukrainian energy and transit channels.
