Feb 16 • 11:52 UTC 🇵🇱 Poland Rzeczpospolita

Hungary and Slovakia Without Oil from Russia. Kyiv to Budapest: Complain to Moscow

Hungary and Slovakia face a halt in oil supplies from Russia, prompting political reactions and considerations for alternative solutions amid ongoing energy crises.

Hungary and Slovakia are currently facing a significant disruption in oil supplies from Russia, marking a critical moment in their energy dependency on Russian oil. The situation has escalated with Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirming that supplies through the Friendship Pipeline have been halted since February, a trend that was noted as early as January. In response to the loss of these critical supplies, Hungary and Slovakia have reached out to Croatia, seeking permission to transit Russian oil via the Adria pipeline, leveraging the European Commission's approval to facilitate maritime imports in light of these disruptions.

The political implications of this situation are multifaceted. Ukraine's government is urging Hungary and Slovakia to formally lodge complaints against Russia for the disruption, reflecting a broader geopolitical dynamic that involves European countries' reliance on Russian energy and the ongoing tensions following Russia's actions in Ukraine. The calls for an official complaint emphasize the intertwined fates of European energy security and regional political stability, showcasing how local events can ripple through international relations.

As Hungary and Slovakia evaluate alternative solutions to secure their oil supply, the energy crisis has forced these nations to reconsider their energy strategies. This includes exploring other routes for importing oil as well as diversifying their energy sources, all while navigating the political landscape shaped by their dealings with Russia and the responses from neighboring countries. Croatia's involvement symbolizes potential regional cooperation towards more sustainable energy security, illustrating the complexities of energy dependency and regional alliances in the current geopolitical climate.

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