Self-interest dictates behavior.

Relations between Hungary and Slovakia with Ukraine have become increasingly strained and tense as both countries, members of the EU and NATO, accuse Ukraine of failing to expedite repairs to the "Friendship" oil pipeline from Russia to Central Europe.

Hungary and Slovakia are exceptions within the EU, still importing Russian oil because they have not yet been able to find alternative sources of supply.

Photo: Reuters

Along with these accusations, Hungary announced it would stop supplying oil to Ukraine and threatened to veto the EU's disbursement of a 90 billion euro financial package for Ukraine. Slovakia, meanwhile, said it would stop supplying electricity to Ukraine.

In recent times, the EU has imposed sanctions and boycotted Russian energy to deplete Moscow's financial resources. However, Hungary and Slovakia are exceptions within the EU, continuing to import Russian oil because they have yet to find alternative sources of supply.

The oil pipeline is damaged in the section within Ukrainian territory. The longer this damage persists, the more uncertain the oil supply to Hungary and Slovakia becomes. From a self-interested perspective, both Ukraine's delay in repairing the pipeline and the reactions of Hungary and Slovakia are understandable. The less oil Russia can export, the better for Ukraine. However, the longer Ukraine delays repairing the pipeline, the more disadvantageous and difficult it becomes for Hungary and Slovakia. As members of the EU and NATO, Hungary and Slovakia share a responsibility to support Ukraine in its war against Russia. But if they support Ukraine in the way and to the extent Kyiv desires, Hungary and Slovakia will suffer losses. Therefore, these two countries choose national interests over allies, and certainly not partners outside the alliance. The discord between Hungary and Slovakia and Ukraine thus further divides and fragments within the EU and Kyiv.

Slovak Prime Minister issues ultimatum to Ukraine.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/loi-ich-quyet-dinh-hanh-xu-18526022322035568.htm