Hungary halts diesel supplies to Ukraine

Amid problems with transit through the Druzhba oil pipeline, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has stated that Hungary is suspending diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine until the pipeline resumes operations.

As reported by Index, at a government meeting on Wednesday 18 February, Szijjártó briefed ministers on the oil supply situation after deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline ceased.

He claimed that oil supplies have still not resumed work "by decision of Ukraine" and described it as "purely political".

"We are halting diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine, and they will not resume until oil begins flowing again through the Druzhba pipeline. That is where we draw the line," he said.

Szijjártó added that Hungary currently has strategic oil reserves sufficient for 96 days, so there is no cause for concern in the short term.

Szijjártó also said the Hungarian company MOL had ordered the first batches of Russian oil to be transported by sea via Croatia.

Earlier, Hungary and Slovakia asked Croatia to allow the transit of Russian oil via the Adria pipeline.

The Slovak government has declared a state of emergency in the oil sector due to the absence of supplies.

The transportation of Russian crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline via Ukraine has been halted since the end of last month due to large-scale Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.