Hungary is facing a potential fuel shortage by September if a resolution is not reached in the oil transit dispute with Ukraine, according to Gergely Gulyas, the head of the Hungarian prime minister’s office. The halt in crude oil transit from Lukoil through the Druzhba pipeline has put Hungary’s fuel reserves at risk, as the country’s largest refinery near Budapest relies heavily on Russian crude.
Kiev’s decision to restrict the transit of Russian oil through its territory is seen as a form of blackmail against Hungary and Slovakia, who have been advocating for peace and a ceasefire in the region. Lukoil accounted for a significant portion of Hungary’s oil imports, further exacerbating the potential shortage.
While the European Union imposed sanctions on Russian oil transport by sea in 2022, Hungary and Slovakia were granted exemptions due to their landlocked status. Both countries have called on the EU to intervene in the current situation with Ukraine.
Should diplomatic efforts fail, Hungary has indicated a willingness to take further action to secure its fuel supply. Gulyas emphasized the need to find a solution before September to avoid a crisis.
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