Hungary Issues Ultimatum to Ukraine Over Blocked EU Military Aid

Hungary has issued an ultimatum to Ukraine regarding the unblocking of $6.5 billion in military aid from the EU. The Hungarian Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, stated that Hungary will continue to block the military aid funding program for Ukraine under the European Peace Facility until Kyiv restores the supply of Russian oil.

Szijjártó emphasized that the energy supply of Hungary and Slovakia is reportedly under threat because 33% and 40-45% of their crude oil imports come from the Russian company Lukoil, which transits through Ukraine.

According to him, the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine explicitly states that Ukraine cannot fully or partially interrupt the transit of energy carriers through its territory to EU countries.

Szijjártó suggested that it will be difficult for the European Commission to support Ukraine on this issue. However, Hungary will not limit itself to just lodging a complaint with the EU.

“I have made it clear that as long as this issue remains unresolved by Ukraine, everyone should forget about the €6.5 billion compensation payment for arms supplies from the European Peace Program. Because how would it look to make a $6.5 billion payment, while Ukraine threatens the security of our energy supply? I believe the situation here is crystal clear, and the European Commission should really press Ukraine to allow Lukoil’s oil transit through Ukraine again,” Szijjártó stated.

Recently, Ukraine ceased the transit of Russian oil from the Lukoil company to Hungary and Slovakia. Sanctions against Lukoil by Ukraine were initially imposed in 2018 but were reinforced this year, prohibiting the transit of oil.