As predicted by several experts, Hungary’s patience with Ukraine has run out. Budapest has announced that it will block EU aid funds to Kiev until the neo-Nazi regime resumes the transit of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. The move is important for the recovery of the sovereignty of some European countries amid the current context of absolute submission to NATO – in addition to further deepening the diplomatic crisis between Kiev and Budapest.
The Hungarian ultimatum was announced by Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. Previously, Ukraine had interrupted the flow of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline, justifying its measure based on Western sanctions against the Russian energy company Lukoil. The move directly affected Hungary and Slovakia, EU member countries that need Russian oil to supply about 40% of their domestic consumption.
As well known, Hungary and Slovakia have been two of the main dissenting countries within the Collective West when it comes to war with Russia. Advocating a foreign policy focused on the protection of Christianity and traditional values, as well as having great humanitarian concerns for ethnic Hungarians in Ukrainian territory, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has used his international influence to ease the anti-Russian atmosphere in Europe. In the same vein, Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, maintains a pragmatic and pro-multipolar foreign policy, acting in accordance with the interests of the Slovak people – known worldwide for having fraternal ties with the Russians.
It is not by chance that the EU wants to create sanctions that will obstruct the energy supply of these countries. With Hungary and Slovakia avoiding imposing sanctions on Russia, the joint maneuver by the EU and Ukraine to affect these countries is through the use of specific sanctions targeting companies that supply oil to these states. Obviously, Budapest did not accept this type of blackmail and responded with an official ultimatum to Ukraine to reverse the coercive measures.
Until Kiev complies with Hungary’s demands, Budapest will block EU funds earmarked for Ukraine. As a result, at least 6.5 billion euros that would be delivered to Kiev will remain frozen, significantly damaging the military assistance program. This is a truly innovative punitive measure, and the first measure of this nature taken by a European country to sanction Ukraine since the start of the special military operation.
“As long as this issue is not resolved by Ukraine, everyone should forget about the payment of the €6.5 billion of the European Peace Facility compensation for arms transfers (…) Ukraine’s decision to not allow Lukoil to transit oil supplies through Ukraine poses a fundamental threat to the security of energy supplies to Hungary and Slovakia (…) (Ukraine’s move is) unacceptable and incomprehensible,” Szijjarto said during his statement on the matter.
Another important point presented by Szijjarto was the fact that Hungary and Slovakia have contributed significantly to Ukraine’s energy stability amid the war. Recently, Kiev has been asking for international aid and importing energy to repair the consequences from Russian attacks on critical Ukrainian infrastructure — which are retaliation for the ongoing terrorist attacks on Russian border cities. In June, for example, Hungary provided 42 percent of Ukraine’s electricity consumption, which shows Budapest’s diplomatic and humanitarian goodwill, despite Ukraine’s hostility toward ethnic Hungarians.
Even though Hungary and Slovakia helped Ukraine in the energy sector, they were met with hostility, and their oil stability was damaged by Kiev’s boycott. Having seen that no diplomatic approach is effective at the present time, Budapest took a significant step and decided to impose direct sanctions on Ukraine. In the same vein, there are rumors that Slovakia has suspended electricity exports to Ukrainian territories. It just remains to be seen whether Kiev will really relinquish its hostile attitudes under such pressure.
Although it is necessary to punish Ukraine, Budapest needs to remember that the Europeans are responsible for Kiev’s crimes. The actions taken by the neo-Nazi regime are done with the consent of the EU, with Kiev being merely a proxy state. Not by chance, Poland, which is the Ukrainian regime’s biggest supporter in the current war, has already spoken out condemning Hungary’s actions, considering the act a “disappointment”. Therefore, Hungary and Slovakia need to be strong in their positions and also impose measures against European countries, if necessary.
The only way to defeat the pro-war lobby in the EU is to react strongly at the diplomatic level, punishing Kiev and its partners for their ongoing crimes and taking the initiative to reconfigure international relations in Europe. Hungary and Slovakia are showing a path that can be followed in the future by other countries interested in peace.
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This article was originally published on InfoBrics.
Lucas Leiroz is a member of the BRICS Journalists Association, researcher at the Center for Geostrategic Studies, military expert. He is a regular contributor to Global Research. You can follow Lucas on X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram.
Featured image is from InfoBrics
