Sky-high fuel prices and power outages may come in Hungary after Ukraine ban on Russian oil import
There is no time to waste in finding a solution to the Ukraine ban. Hungary’s strategic reserve is only enough for 90 days, while Ukraine openly said their decision to partly ban Russian oil imports aims to reduce Hungary’s resistance concerning arms deliveries and the country’s EU accession. Will Hungary accept Kyiv’s demands or a kind of “cold war” starts with skyrocketing prices and shortages?
Fuel price hike and power outages in Hungary?
Ukrainian President Zelensky and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met in Kyiv for the first time on 5 July since the country’s Russian invasion began. The two looked happy after the long negotiation. Orbán talked about peace, and the press reports focused on how Ukraine would modify its laws to help the indigenous Hungarian minority survive in Transcarpathia.
However, it seems the Hungarian government’s peace mission (including Orbán’s visit to Beijing, and Moscow) did not only revolt some politicians in Brussels but urged Ukrainian politicians to do something harmful to win Hungary’s support for arms deliveries and EU accession. This week, for example, Zelensky suggested in a speech in the UK that PM Orbán was a traitor to the alliance since he visited Putin in Moscow.
Photo: FB/Orbán
We wrote on Thursday that Ukraine halted Russian oil giant Lukoil’s supply to Hungarian company MOL Plc. MOL processes around 70% of its oil from Russia and Lukoil’s supply is half of it. The ban comes after a new presidential decree entering into effect in June which tightened sanctions on Lukoil.
Kyiv wants to reduce Moscow’s oil money
FM Szijjártó called the Ukrainian decision “incomprehensible and unacceptable” and said they should find a quick solution. Before, he talked about oil transit through Belarus, but MOL refused to comment. Hungary would be in trouble in the medium term, Szijjártó highlighted. “The Ukrainian decision will seriously impact the security of oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia in the long term,” Szijjártó noted.
Szijjártó and Lavrov in New York. Photo: FB/Szijjártó
Ilona Gizińska, a Hungary expert of the Polish OSW institute (Centre for Eastern Studies) told Politico that “the Ukrainian measures could create a severe situation.” Though Kyiv’s aim is to take out money from Moscow’s war coffers, a side-effect is that Hungary (and Slovakia) may face an energy crisis in the middle of the summer heatwave.
Is Ukraine blackmailing Hungary?
But Ukraine does not seem to be worried because of that side effect. “It’s actually absurd to allow them to make this money by transporting this oil through Ukrainian territory if the money is then being used to kill us,” Inna Sovsun, a Ukrainian lawmaker from the opposition pro-EU Holos party who sits in the parliament’s energy committee, said.
Should we expect fuel shortages soon? Creative Commons CC0 1.0
She also made it clear that the ban’s aim was to overturn Hungary’s opposition to arms deliveries to Ukraine and the country’s EU accession.
Politico wrote about alternatives. For example, Hungary could get more oil from Rosneft, another Russian oil giant, or increase supply via the Adria Pipeline from Croatia. Finally, it can use its strategic reserves enough for 90 days. But time is running out.
Read also:
- Concerning: will the Hungarian-Russian gas transport system fall apart? – Read more HERE
- Hungary lies on a hidden treasure, yet this huge energy source remains largely untapped
UPDATE – 22 June, 2024
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11 Comments
The first words of this article are “There is no time to waste.” The Fidesz government just wasted two years by insisting on using Russian oil instead of finding alternatives and there are connector pipes that go to the countries around Hungary. Russia gets $180 billion a year in revenue from the oil that goes through Ukraine and then uses that money to fund its’ brutal aggression against Ukraine. No more. Hungary has been funding Russia’s war machine with billions of dollars in oil and gas revenues while it has simultaneously been obstructing all military and economic aid to Ukraine. Hungary has been fully assisting the Russian invasion of Ukraine. No more. Cut off the oil and let Fidesz make Hungarians suffer. It is well deserved.
Diplomacy – it will be of GREAT Interest – if the Orban – Fidesz Government undertake to address this CONCERNING decision “activated” by the Ukraine – it’s EFFECTS on – Hungary.
Diplomacy – the SKILL – the intellectual ability needed, in it’s adaptation, to understand it’s meaning, it’s functionality – the REQUIREMENT(s) – to resolve a problematic situation between in this case, the Ukraine and Hungary.
History never LIES.
In the course of the 15 years of the Orban – Fidesz Government of Hungary, in there DNA “infested” throughout there PRACTICES – the total ignoring of practicing DIPLOMACY.
Orban – the Fidesz Government – our way or NO way and NO further dialogue – negotiations will be ENTERED into.
Democracy is Dialogue, and in the MASSIVE parcel – the practice of DEMOCRACY, the word DIPLOMACY – plays a major role to ensure that DEMOCRACY is practiced, to the Core or CREED of the word and it’s MEANING.
Hungary is NOT a Democracy.
Hungary, under the Orban – Fidesz Government will NOT resolve this Ukraine matter that has the name Russia embroiled in it, through, as is FACT – the present Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Mihaly. Orban, in his capacity as President of the European Union, his PEACE train missions, that through his in-ability to come from a base of NUETRALITY – not one of having INVESTED Interests – in this case, the RELATIONSHIP and Partnership(s) – with Putin’s Russia – this Hungary / Ukraine matter, will not be RESOLVED through the use of DIPLOMACY.
The name personally, the country he is of Prime Minister in title – what another gargantuan TEST this will be on Victor Mihaly. Orban.
Pressurization continues to mount on the name Orban, that see’s his European Union Presidency now coming under rapidly increasing scrutiny – likened to be under a POWERFUL Micro-scope, watching deeper his motives or agendas, that continue to EMBARRASS – anger & annoy, the Membership of the European Union deeply – and the citizens, the population of Hungary.
‘Fight Fire with Fire” – in matters of the Orban – Fidesz Government having been challenged or OPPOSED.
There will be NO practice of DIPLOMACY.
If Ukraine doesn’t shape up, we need to retaliate by boycotting all N.A.T.O. and E.U. funds they still want to lavish on the place. Simultaneously, see how we can bypass Ukraine altogether and get Russian oil by other means (Moldova?).
It’s also clear this is not Ukraine’s own doing. This has N.A.T.O.’s and E.U.’s fingerprints all over it.
Steiner Michael – it’s CALLED retribution, a “pay back” for ALL the WRONGS – the Party of your Membership, under the leadership of your “Demigod” – that the Victor Mihaly. Orban – Fidesz Government have continue to do “play out” attempting to VEIL there relationship/partnership with Putin’s Russia.
Orban is a growing “spent force” being ABSOLUTLY humiliated deeper in his existence, inclusive of presently, the role of President of the European Union, that numbers grow in the Parliament of the European Union – to REMOVE him.
Orban – is rightly being “Pinged off” every attempt he try’s – in covering the FACT, his payroll position with the Kremlin – Putin’s Russia, is in his “Contract ” – his Conditions of Employment.
Orban it is KNOWN is the No1 – “Gofer” – for Putin’s Russia.
The Orban – Fidesz Government are OVER there Heads – covered in there BOWING complying to the Putin – Russian way(s).
Orban – his Fidesz Government over the course of 15 years have absolutely effected the SCUTTLING of Hungary.
Orban – the Fidesz Government – look at Hungary to-day -.
We are at “fast pace” on a road of no return.
Orban – in his DISTILLATION on-going of Democracy – as he has played his idiotic, senseless, ill founded GAMES – the increase, in numbers wanting waiting to play out EFFECT to hurt humiliate ” finish off” Victor Mihaly. Orban – his Political life, all he STANDS for – GROWS.
Orban – what he HAS – of his own doing, with his Fidesz Government, delivering Hungary to the place, the country we are to-day, that our FUTURE is in “Dire” a presaging DISASTER.
Pay back time – that gives RIGHTFULLY its support GLOBALLY – country’s of DEMOCRACY – to the European Union, inclusive of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, and the United States of America – who are SERIOUS Players +.
Orban – his nadir GROWS but the concern is in the time left of his existence – the FURTHER damage that will be INFLICTED on Hungary – that already has 3 plus million of it’s “diminishing ageing population living in POVERTY.
Hungary – grows by the DAY in the IMPORTENCE to come together in SOLIDARITY – to CEASE this Orban “run” introduced and practice – the DESTRUCTION of Hungary – of DEMOCRACY.
Michael Steiner, Hungary is only one (small) member of the EU and NATO and is in a club of 1 with its positions on Ukraine. Moreover, Ukraine (while almost certainly not entitled to according to contract) is in a position to stem the flow of Russian oil and gas that uses pipelines that cross its territory. Hungary has recently taken the position that we “shouldn’t poke the Russian bear”, well, we also shouldn’t test the patience of Ukraine as this is the outcome. I warned of this potential outcome right at the outbreak of hostilities when Hungary was showing signs of moving to a pro-Kremlin position. Clearly, those in power didn’t think this was a likely outcome, probably assuming that war torn Ukraine will be so desperate for transit fees they wouldn’t possibly say no to the money. The level of western solidarity with Ukraine was underestimated (the old addage being that it ‘wasn’t in their interests’) and despite best efforts to subvert it, has if anything strengthened. A Trump presidency will come too late for Hungary once the pumps have run dry and diesel buses and trains are being cancelled due to lack of fuel. S**t just got real.
Steiner in case you haven’t noticed the Fidesz Putinists have already been vetoing everything for Ukraine. It doesn’t work anymore. Now Orban is getting a taste of his own medicine and the medicine tastes awful. Time to suck it up.
Hungary is and has been boycotting all funds aimed at helping Ukraine defending themselves against a bloodthirsty aggressor that targets it’s missiles also on civilians and even children’s hospital.
I hope Hungary will finally co-operate with EU an NATO and allow all defence aid into Ukraine that will help end war with the aggressor going back home.
It is clear that Ukraine had no other choice since Hungary only advocates Ukraine’s unconditional surrender to its aggressor.
Oh Michael, again not really paying attention. Hungary has been obstructing aid to Ukraine since the war began. Now the headline blares is Ukraine blackmailing Hungary? Really, while Hungary has been using Ukriane to get as much as it can from the EU, in which it is NOT a net contributor and has never been a net contributor. Orban only cares about his own glory, he is a mini Trump and a mini Putin, but he can not play with the big boys and it is time for real Hungarians, Not Michael or Maria, to step up and change the government.
What a joke Zelensky is. Most of the aid is never used except for his own benefit. He bought luxury villas all over the world. Why is he wearing that suit? If he wants to win the war he started and provoked, after filling his pickets, killing innocent people for over 8 years let this big mouth and his caberet friends fight themselves. In the frontline please! Be the example instead of let others fight and be killed for you and your puppeteers!
No one wants you Z, you are a shame for humankind, a joke just like senile Biden. Get yourvarse to the frontline and fight just like your wife!
Michael Steiner, and how does Moldova get oil from Russia?
I think you need to buy a new map
EU politicians screwed up the West beyond belief already with their idiotic extreme left policies. You people follow like sheep. If it weren’t for Orban, Hungary would already be run over by foreigners. EU is forcing their will onto Hungary every which way they can..culture, education, law, now this. Supporting this endless war, like we did in Vietnam. They aren’t even trying to find a different way. Have you not learned from history that the Soviets / Putin will never stop??? Unless, of course we start bombing them and then it’s WWIII, How many young lives have to be lost? Once again, you all are gravitating to the Germans, like we did in WW-s 1 and 2! Just because they are a huge block, doesn’t mean you all have to fall for it and cave to their bullying. Stop lying to yourself, do things that are common sense, have some guts, grow some balls, and and stick up for the freedom and independence of the Hungarian people. Remember the proud nation you were so long ago until major powers starting to rule over you. And don’t ever think about adopting the Euro, that will be the end of Hungary. ‘nough said. And stop typing in CAPs.