Ukraine blocks oil flow to Russia, Hungary and Slovakia "actively" seek solutions, rely on European Commission

The Slovak government office said that Prime Minister Robert Fico spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal on July 26 about the issue of Russian oil.

Lukoil has had to temporarily suspend the transport of crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia via pipelines in Ukrainian territory. (Source: The Moscow Times)

Ukraine announced sanctions against the Russian energy giant Lukoil, prohibiting the transport of oil from the company through its territory. Following Kyiv's decision, Lukoil had to temporarily suspend the transport of crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia via pipelines in Ukraine.

Slovakia and Hungary have been affected as Russian oil from Lukoil flows through pipelines in Ukraine.

The Slovak Prime Minister's office stated: "Prime Minister Fico has proposed to his Ukrainian counterparts a technical solution in which several countries, including Slovakia, would have to participate."

The Slovak government office noted that alternative sources of supply are more expensive and may not be technologically suitable for Slovakia's Slovnaft refinery.

In-depth negotiations will take place at the highest level in the coming hours and days, according to the office of Prime Minister Robert Fico.

* On the Hungarian side, Gergely Gulyas, chief of staff to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, said that if the situation is not resolved, there will be a fuel shortage. A solution needs to be found by September.

Gulyas shared: "Budapest is also looking for solutions."

The Hungarian Prime Minister's chief of staff believes Ukraine needs to acknowledge that it cannot act in this way towards two European Union (EU) countries. He also requested assistance from the European Commission and is seeking ways to circumvent sanctions against Ukraine, allowing Russian oil to continue to be transported to the country.

Reuters (UK) reports that some EU countries remain dependent on Russian energy.

According to Bloomberg , Hungary and Slovakia receive one-third and over 40% of their domestic oil imports from Lukoil, respectively.

In the Lukoil dispute, Hungary and Slovakia want the European Commission to use the association agreement with Ukraine. Under this agreement, Kyiv cannot prevent the transit of Russian oil.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ukraine-chan-dong-chay-dau-nga-hungary-va-slovakia-rao-riet-tim-giai-phap-cay-nho-uy-ban-chau-au-280337.html