Budapest argues it’s facing an energy crunch after Kyiv imposed a partial ban on Moscow’s oil transiting the country.

Hungary on Monday said it had asked the European Union to take action against Ukraine for imposing a partial ban on Russian oil exports, arguing the move was jeopardizing Budapest’s energy security.

Kyiv last month adopted sanctions blocking the transit to Central Europe of pipeline crude sold by Moscow’s largest private oil firm, Lukoil, sparking fears of supply shortages in Budapest. Hungary relies on Moscow for 70 percent of its oil imports — and on Lukoil for half that amount.

“Ukraine’s decision fundamentally threatens the security of supply in Hungary,” the country’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said Monday at a meeting of EU envoys in Brussels. “This is an unacceptable step on the part of Ukraine, a country that wants to be a member of the European Union, and with a single decision puts the oil supply …. in fundamental danger.”

  • macniel
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    624 months ago

    Orban, honey, this isn’t how you are supposed to play the game.

    • @Pilferjinx
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      304 months ago

      He’s in the find out phase of being a traitor.

      • @baru
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        34 months ago

        Up to now he has been able to get really rich by being this way.

    • @Etterra
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      124 months ago

      It’s almost cute his he thinks he’s in charge. Almost.