Hungary and Slovakia halt diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine
Hungary and Slovakia have suspended diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine due to disruptions in oil deliveries from Russia.
Hungary and Slovakia have announced a halt to diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine, attributing the disruption to interruptions in oil deliveries from Russia. The pipeline "Družba", which runs through Ukraine, stopped receiving oil supplies at the end of January, leading to a significant shortage of oil in both Hungary and Slovakia. As a response to the crisis, the Slovakian government declared a state of emergency effective immediately.
Both countries have blamed Ukraine for delays in repairing the Družba pipeline. Ukraine has countered these claims, stating that the pipeline was damaged due to Russian drone attacks. Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó indicated that the supplies to Ukraine will only resume once oil deliveries are restored. He further stated his belief that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is using energy as a tool for political influence during this crisis, which reflects ongoing tensions in the region.
The suspension of diesel fuel supplies has significant implications for Ukraine, particularly as the country continues to navigate the complexities of the ongoing conflict with Russia. Moreover, this situation emphasizes the interconnectedness of energy supplies in Europe and the potential vulnerabilities that arise from geopolitical conflicts. Slovakia's oil refining company, Slovnaft, also confirmed the cessation of diesel supply to Ukraine on the same day, further underscoring the regional impact of the crisis caused by the oil supply disruptions.