Hungary to Block Allocation of €6.5 Billion to Ukraine If 'Lukoil' Situation Remains Unresolved, Says Szijjártó

Hungary, in coordination with Slovakia, has requested consultations with the EU regarding Ukraine's cessation of oil transit from the 'Lukoil' company and will block the provision of aid to Ukraine within the framework of the European peace initiative until the issue is resolved. This was announced by Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó in a speech to Hungarians, as reported by local ATV television.

“I also made it clear that as long as this issue remains unresolved by Ukraine, everyone should forget about the payment of €6.5 billion as compensation for the supply of military equipment from the European Peace Fund, because how will this €6.5 billion assistance appear when Ukraine threatens the security of our energy resources,” Szijjártó stated, as quoted on the channel's website.

According to him, this position was expressed at a previous meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels. The foreign minister noted that discussions are underway with Hungary's MOL company, which owns oil refining plants in Hungary and Slovakia, to determine what legal and technical solutions are needed to ensure the country’s energy supply in the long term if the situation is not resolved.