Hungary and Slovakia have voiced their opposition to providing military aid to Ukraine and supporting its integration into the European Union, citing energy-related interests and domestic political concerns, reports the Baltimore Chronicle, citing Euractiv.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that Budapest will continue to block the allocation of €6.5 billion in military support for Ukraine under the EU Peace Facility until Ukraine resumes Russian oil deliveries to Hungary. According to Szijjártó, Hungary’s and Slovakia’s energy supply has been jeopardized by Ukraine’s decision to halt the transit of Russian oil—an essential part of both countries’ imports.
In addition, Hungary refuses to support the extension of EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus, arguing instead for a diplomatic pause to allow peace negotiations between the United States and Russia. Szijjártó also criticized the European Commission for failing to include Hungary in gas transit negotiations with Ukraine, involving only Slovakia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Slovakia has accused Ukraine of violating the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement by banning the transportation of oil from the Russian company Lukoil through its territory. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár called Ukraine’s actions a clear breach of the agreement’s terms.
The positions of Hungary and Slovakia present further obstacles to Ukraine’s efforts to secure military assistance and advance toward European integration amid ongoing aggression from Russia.
Earlier we wrote that Hungary delays minority rights talks with Ukraine.