Reuters informers: Ukraine may cease oil transit to Hungary, Slovakia in August
At the end of June, Ukraine decided not to let Russian Lukoil’s crude via the Druzhba pipeline, which is theoretically essential for Hungary and Slovakia. In the case of Hungary, it is 1/3rd of the country’s crude oil import. In August, Kyiv may cease oil transit to Hungary due to electricity outages caused by Russian attacks.
Other Russian companies redirect oil transit
According to three oil market sources talking to Reuters, the Russian Lukoil redirected another 0.34 million tonnes of crude to ports. That amount equals Hungary’s and Slovakia’s one-month import. The decision means that they plan to transport the August amount by sea. Furthermore, Russian Rosneft and Tatneft also decided to redirect 300 thousand tonnes of crude to Russian ports. That means they are concerned Ukraine would ban Russian crude oil transport via Ukraine from August, portfolio.hu wrote.
Therefore, Slovak PM Robert Fico talked with Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal on Friday afternoon and offered technical help with the issue.
Yesterday morning, the Ukrainian news outlet eurointegration.com wrote about a talk with former Slovakian economy minister Karel Herman, who said that Hungary and Slovakia were exempted from the EU embargo on Russian pipeline crude until the end of 2024. Therefore, Ukraine’s block precedes the ban’s deadline by six months.
Ukraine needs electricity for other purposes
He said the Ukrainians would expand the transport ban on other Russian companies because they want to redirect electricity for the population instead of operating compressors along the pipeline. The former CEO of the Ukrainian pipeline operator company urged Ukraine to stop transporting Russian oil. Kyiv gets only USD 250 million for the transit, while Russia earns USD 6 billion.
Gergely Gulyás, the minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, said yesterday that Hungary was prepared for all scenarios. But if Hungary does not receive crude oil, we will not be able to export diesel for Ukraine, which is more than 10% of their import.
Legal “back doors”?
Gulyás and Energy Minister Lantos mentioned a possible Russian crude oil import via the Adriatic port of Omisalj and the Adriatic pipeline. However, that is not a long-term solution since the pipeline’s capacity is much lower than the demand.
The Hungarian government talks about blackmail concerning the Ukraine Lukoil ban. However, the European Commission does not seem to agree with Orbán. Even though Hungary and Slovakia have jointly initiated a consultation procedure with the European Union against Ukraine, the European Commission did not back the plea. Financial Times wrote that Brussels needed more time to collect evidence and analyse the situation. That means they would not interfere in favour of Budapest and Bratislava. Furthermore, the European Commission said the ban did not cause problems in Hungary and Slovakia’s supply.
There will be fuel, but it may be expensive
Attila Holoda, a Hungarian energy expert, said the problems can be solved with creative “paperwork”, 24.hu wrote. For example, the Ukrainian sanction does not apply to another oil trading company. He highlighted that Hungary’s crude oil supply was not in danger because the amount of oil coming through the Druzhba pipeline did not decrease.
He added that Hungary would not run out of fuel even if the Ukrainians closed down the pipeline. That is because MOL is able to process other types of oils, but the price is not all the same. Oil bought from other sources may cause HUF 700/l (EUR 1.8) fuel prices or worse. There will be fuel, but the question is how much it will cost.
Read also:
- Bulgaria offers to help Hungary manage difficulties caused by Ukraine oil transit ban – Read more HERE
- Sky-high fuel prices and power outages may come in Hungary after Ukraine ban on Russian oil import
Does the Hungarian government let in many Eastern guest workers unchecked with card scheme?
The Hungarian government expanded the National Card scheme programme from 8 July with Russian and Belarusian citizens. The scheme allows them to come to Hungary even with their families, get a job in sectors that are not struggling with labour shortages, and extend their permits multiple times. Finally, they could even get residence status in Hungary. A Russian expert believes the expansion raises lots of national security concerns.
Lots of Eastern guest workers may come with families
According to forbes.hu, the Hungarian government opened the Schengen national security gate for Russians and Belarusians coming with National Cards to work and live in Hungary. Guest workers from eight countries may get a National Card: the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus. Before 8 July, Russia and Belarus were not on the list.
The National Card has multiple advantages. First, there is no limit to the number of guest workers coming with it. Secondly, there are no excluded jobs and the future guest workers do not have to submit certificates that their work is needed in Hungary. When they prolong the permit, they do not have to take a cultural knowledge exam. Finally, those obtaining a National Card can bring their family to Hungary. You may get your National Card for 2 years, but your stay can be extended for three years for unlimited times.
But where will the Russians and Belarusians work?
The simplest answer is the Paks II nuclear power plant extension carried out by Rosatom. András Rácz, a Hungarian Russian expert, said thousands of Russians already live in Hungary and are taking part in the operation of Paks. Hungarian authorities adapted to that.
However, since Rosatom cannot make an EU-conform authorisation plan for the expansion, the nuclear technology phase of the construction will not begin soon. Therefore, it is hard to explain why the Hungarian government would like to let in many Russians and Belarusians now.
Even if Russians came to help build Paks II, they would not need a National Card, making them eligible for all jobs in Hungary. Russian discount chain Mere is also coming to Hungary, but it is hard to imagine that Russian cashiers will work there.
The new scheme may substitute the Russian ‘spy bank’
The International Investment Bank (IIB) ceased operations in Hungary after US Ambassador David Pressman’s concerns. Forbes wrote that the bank provided background for Russian intelligence, so it was a Trojan horse of the Russian government in Europe. Even so, the Hungarian government granted it exceptional freedom. For example, they were tax-free, and their employees and guests could come and commute unchecked in Hungary.
The American pressure made them leave Hungary, though they still owe billions and a Budapest palace to Hungary. Mr Rácz believes the new expanded National Card scheme allows crowds of Russians and Belarusians to come to Hungary unchecked. As Alexander Graham Bell said, “when one door closes, another door opens”.
Rácz said the Hungarian authorities were unprepared to check masses of Russian and Belarusian guest workers and their families. “I see serious national security risk in that depending on how many will come”, he highlighted.
Rácz suggested that if Russia wants to send spies with the programme, their activity may not be confined to Hungary, but to any Schengen Zone country. Obtaining a National Card allows you to travel everywhere in the zone.
Of course, there is a chance that the government will modify the rules of obtaining and using the National Card.
Read also:
- Here’s the new list of countries from which guest workers can come to Hungary – read more HERE
- Number of guest workers exceed psychological barrier in Hungary – details in THIS article
Featured image: depositphotos.com
Could Hungary shift from Russian gas by diversifying energy sources?
Over the past two years, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has engaged in numerous negotiations on energy issues with countries such as Oman, Kazakhstan, and Trinidad and Tobago. These discussions, involving gas procurement and cooperation agreements, aim to reduce Hungary’s reliance on Russian gas.
If even half of these deals come to fruition, a significant portion of Russian gas could be replaced, reports G7. In 2022, Hungary’s gas supply route changed significantly, indicating an increase in non-Russian gas. About 1 to 1.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas flowed from Romania and Croatia, marking a notable rise from the previous year. The volume from Romania increased further to almost 1.5 bcm last year, with similar trends expected in 2024. Experts identify these routes as key sources of non-Russian gas.
Importance of diversification over Russian gas?
Diversifying gas sources has been a long-standing issue for Hungary, which has relied heavily on Russian gas, posing energy security risks. Previously, infrastructure limitations prevented alternative sources. Over the past decade and a half, pipeline construction and European gas market liberalisation have changed this. However, visible diversification did not occur in the 2010s. State-owned MVM re-signed a long-term agreement with Gazprom, though for smaller volumes than in the 1990s.
The crisis and the Russian-Ukrainian war prompted the government to address diversification more seriously. In recent years, Szijjártó has visited countries with substantial natural gas production, irrespective of whether the gas could be transported to Hungary. He held talks with over a dozen partners on natural gas procurement and transportation.
In June last year, he announced in Baku that MVM Group and SOCAR of Azerbaijan would deliver 100 million cubic meters of natural gas to Hungary by 2023. Although this did not occur, Azerbaijani gas was delivered to Hungarian storage facilities this spring.
More importantly, MVM acquired a 5% stake in the Shah Deniz gas field in Azerbaijan. Shah Deniz, one of the world’s largest gas fields, produces around 29 bcm annually. This acquisition means Hungary could have a share of around 1.5 bcm. The Foreign Minister stated this deal “will put Hungary’s security of natural gas supply in a completely new dimension.”
After visiting Doha in January, Szijjártó reported progress in negotiations between MVM and QatarEnergy, potentially adding Qatari liquefied natural gas to Hungary’s energy supply by 2026.
In Sochi, Russia, four weeks later, Szijjártó signed a deal with Turkey for 275 million cubic meters of natural gas, making Hungary the first non-neighbouring country to receive Turkish gas. A month later, in Budapest, the minister extended a contract with Shell for 250 million cubic meters of liquefied natural gas annually until 2027. This gas will be converted back to natural gas in Krk, Croatia, and then transported to Hungary.
These key announcements indicate that Hungary could acquire 3-5 bcm of natural gas from new sources per year, enough to replace the long-term contract with Russia.
However, Szijjártó’s statement suggests the government aims to expand rather than replace its relationship with Russia. The current contract with Gazprom stipulates a fixed annual volume of 4.5 bcm until 2031, meaning MVM will continue to purchase this amount for another seven years.
Read also:
Concerning: will the Hungarian-Russian gas transport system fall apart? – Read here
Hungarian government: gas and electricity the EU’s cheapest in Hungary – Read here
Featured image: depositphotos.com
Hungarian foreign minister: A fantastic act of revenge has been devised in Brussels
Hungary faced “aggressive, coordinated pro-war hysteria, in many cases completely neglecting reality” at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting because of its peace mission, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó said on Monday.
The ministry cited Szijjártó telling a press conference that the EU’s Ukraine strategy had failed in the past two and a half years, arguing that peace was increasingly farther away, and the sanctions were hurting the continent’s economy more and more.
“Of course we can bury our head in the sand, as some of my fellow European politicians have done, and interpret the truth as Kremlin propaganda,” he said.
Instead, he called for a changed approach and a peace strategy, saying that diplomatic channels must be reopened for the sake of success.
Szijjártó said that last week the Swiss and Russian foreign ministers met, the US and Russian defence ministers had talks by phone and the Ukrainian president held talks with Donald Trump.
“So everybody has started using diplomatic channels, it is only here in Brussels and in European capitals that they call this illegitimate, something that must not be done, and whoever argues for diplomatic solutions is labelled pro-Russian”, he said.
Szijjártó said he had pointed out the “lies”, for instance the fact that during its peace mission Hungary never said it acted representing the EU and nobody tried to make such an impression.
After the first meetings of the peace mission, three proposals were presented: the reopening of diplomatic channels with Russia, political consultation with China and communications with a global South, he said. The latter had been discussed at every EU Council meeting and the importance of maintaining relations with China has also been voiced by many, he added.
“If we consider how many European leaders met the Chinese president in the recent past and how many more will meet him in the near future, it is a long list,” he said.
Szijjártó said there were some differences of opinion in terms of the reopening of diplomatic channels. However, he said this was a legitimate matter for debate and refusing the possibility of debate was undemocratic.
He also said that
“a fantastic act of revenge has been devised in Brussels” which involved rendering the informal foreign ministers’ meeting planned for late August in Budapest impossible. “It is completely childish,” he added.
It is the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy that must decide if a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council is held in a formal or informal framework, and it is an institutionalised custom that in the latter case it is held in the member state holding the rotating presidency, he said.
“We are prepared for it. If the High Representative for Foreign Affairs calls the meeting to Budapest, we will be pleased to welcome the foreign minister colleagues with the proper Hungarian hospitality,” he said. “And if the High Representative decides that he does not want to call the meeting in Budapest but in Brussels, then I will come and then the meeting will be held in Brussels.”
He said several people had argued for the meeting to be held in Budapest but several said they would be unwilling to attend. There was even a proposal for the meeting to be held in Ukraine, which Szijjártó said would need unanimous support and the Hungarian government will not support it.
He said it was only Slovakia that had clearly stood up in support of Hungary. “The Slovak deputy foreign minister who was here clearly said that they had no objection and criticism against the Hungarian foreign minister’s peace mission,” he added. Read details HERE: Hungary initiates procedure against Ukraine, but not alone
read also:
Ukraine addresses Russian oil supply issues amid pipeline blockage
Amid growing concerns over energy security, Ukraine has responded to the recent partial blockage of the pipeline transporting Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.
The Ukrainian government has recently addressed public concerns regarding the partial blockage of the Friendship pipeline, which plays a crucial role in transporting Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. Both the Slovak and Hungarian governments have expressed strong criticism over Ukraine’s decision to suspend a significant portion of Russian oil supplies. Reports from international media suggest that this dispute between Ukraine and Hungary over oil could potentially lead to serious energy shortages and a dramatic rise in prices within Hungary, according to Világgazdaság.
Since last week, the flow of Russian oil into Hungary has been significantly reduced due to Ukraine’s decision to block the Friendship pipeline, which is operated by the Russian company Lukoil. Russian sources estimate that this blockage has resulted in a loss of approximately 1.1 million barrels of oil per month. This reduction is impacting not just Hungary but also Slovakia. The Friendship pipeline terminates at two key refineries: the Danube Refinery (DuFi) in Hungary and the Bratislava Refinery in Slovakia. Historically, about two-thirds of the oil processed at these refineries originated from Russia.
Although some Russian oil continues to reach Hungary, a substantial portion of this supply has come from Lukoil. Official reports indicate that Lukoil was responsible for handling half of the pipeline imports to the east, with Hungary and Slovakia collectively purchasing around two million tonnes of oil from the company each year. According to public records, the Hungarian oil company Mol has an ongoing contract with Lukoil to deliver 4 million tonnes of oil annually until 2025, which represents about 5% of Lukoil’s total yearly production.
Ukraine’s response regarding Russian oil
In response to the unfolding oil crisis, Ukrainian media, including Forbes Ukraine, have reported a statement from the Ukrainian energy company Ukrtransnafta. The company aims to address the concerns by clarifying that oil transportation to the European Union via Ukraine is continuing as scheduled and that the restrictions currently only apply to Lukoil.
Ukrtransnafta has highlighted that oil supplies to European nations are being delivered as requested by their customers. An important detail in resolving the current situation is that Lukoil, which is under international sanctions, does not own the oil being supplied to the Hungarian energy company Mol Plc through Ukraine. This detail was reportedly confirmed to Ukrtransnafta by Mol in a letter addressed to the National Security and Defence Council. The letter dates back to when Ukraine initially blacklisted Lukoil.
This situation suggests that other Russian suppliers, who are not subject to sanctions, could potentially step in to cover the oil supply shortage. This implies that the Ukrainian-Hungarian oil crisis could be mitigated if the restrictions are specifically targeted at Lukoil, allowing non-sanctioned Russian companies to fill the gap in the oil supply chain.
Read also:
BREAKING: Ukraine blocks Russian oil imports to Hungary! – Read here
Hungarian government: gas and electricity the EU’s cheapest in Hungary – Read here
BREAKING – Hungary initiates procedure against Ukraine, but not alone
Hungary and Slovakia have jointly initiated a consultation procedure at the European Union against Ukraine in connection with an “unexpected and unfriendly move” which involved partially halting crude oil supplies, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Monday.
The ministry cited Szijjártó telling a press conference after the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels that the Ukrainian decision to stop Russian oil company Lukoil’s crude oil transits had severely endangered energy supplies for Hungary and Slovakia.
He said that energy supplies were not a matter of politics but infrastructure, and considering that there were no alternative routes, Hungary’s crude oil needs could not be resolved without Russian resources. As a result, Hungary, together with Slovakia and Czechia, has been granted exemption from EU sanctions in terms of imports, he added.
He also said that Lukoil provided one-third of Hungary’s and 45 percent of Slovakia’s crude oil imports, and the Ukrainian ban therefore posed a fundamental threat to the two countries’ energy security.
“This is an unacceptable and incomprehensible decision from a country that wants to be an EU member, and with a single decision it endangers the crude oil supplies of two countries,” he said.
For the time being, the situation could be stabilised with temporary solutions but the security of crude oil supplies for Hungary and Slovakia cannot be guaranteed without Lukoil supplies even in the medium term, he said
“As a result, we have been in continual consultations with the Slovak government in order to resolve the situation. Yesterday I also talked to the Ukrainian foreign minister by phone and he said there were naturally no problems and all transits were allowed through Ukraine, but this is obviously no true,” Szijjártósaid.
“Lukoil supplies have not been able to arrive in Hungary for several weeks … with this new regulation Ukraine prohibited the transit of crude oil supplies from Lukoil,” he added.
Szijjártósaid this violated the EU-Ukraine association agreement which stated that Kyiv must not disrupt the transit of energy to members of the bloc. In line with the agreement, in such case the affected member state can immediately launch a consultation procedure and the European Commission is obliged to represent the state in the matter, he added.
If the issue cannot be resolved, then there is an option to set up a chosen court and proceedings to be executed within forty days, and if even that does not bring a solution, then the EU is authorised to not fulfil some of its contractual obligations, such as in the area of the customs duties exemptions.
“Today jointly with Slovakia we initiated at the European Commission the launch of consultations that precede the chosen court proceedings,” he said. “It is an urgent matter because the security of energy supplies is an acute issue, and the European Commission therefore has three days to carry out the consultations with Ukraine, and failing that, the chosen court will start dispute settlement proceedings,” he added.
The minister said that the two countries were simultaneously working on various legal and technical solutions in order to ensure that in case the consultations failed, the court dispute settlement proceedings could start.
“We have been continually in contact and certain solutions have been taking shape that could secure energy supplies in the long term,” he said.
Szijjártósaid the Ukrainian decision was “unfriendly and unexpected” also in light of the fact that 42 percent of the country’s electricity imports arrived from Hungary in June.
He said that despite all the criticism it was receiving, Hungary was continually aiding Ukraine’s energy supply “in these hard times”.
The company that operates Hungary’s electricity network is making serious efforts to help Ukraine connect with the European network, he said.
Additionally, next to Poland, Slovakia and Hungary granted rapid aid to Ukraine for the operation of its energy system, Szijjártó said.
Hungarian foreign minister: Brussels ‘sharpening tongues on peace mission’
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó expects “a political volley fire” at a meeting of his European Union counterparts in Brussels on Monday.
Ahead of the meeting, Szijjártó said on Facebook that “the foreign affairs bureaucracy in Brussels and the leaders of some EU countries have been sharpening their tongues on our peace mission out of their frustration and jealousy and because their ill-advised strategy has been revealed” over Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s meeting the presidents of Russia and China, as well as former US President Donald Trump.
Szijjártó noted that since those talks were held the Swiss foreign minister had met his Russian counterpart, the US and Russian defence ministers had also held talks, while Trump had also spoken with Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian leader.
“Up with the armor and get ready for a (political) volley fire …off we go to Brussels, where my foreign minister colleagues are waiting, [in the] EU Foreign Affairs Council,”
he said.
As we wrote two days before, Sky-high fuel prices and power outages may come in Hungary after Ukraine ban on Russian oil import, details HERE.
read also:
- Putin to Orbán: If Ukraine wants peace, it has to capitulate
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.
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.
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.
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
Will Hungary run out of oil due to Ukraine’s Russian oil import ban?
Ukraine’s stopping Russian crude oil transit shipments to Hungary has been an “incomprehensible and unacceptable” decision, the foreign minister said on Friday, but added that “supplies to Hungary have been stabilised by way of temporary solutions”.
Answering questions at a press conference, Péter Szijjártó, however, said that the facilities applied “will not work in the medium term”, adding that it was necessary to find a quick solution.
Szijjártó noted that Hungary and Slovakia had been exempted from a European Union sanction banning the use of the Druzhba pipeline which supplies oil from Russia to the region.
“So far … a correct energy cooperation has worked” between Hungary and Ukraine, Szijjártó said, adding that “Hungary has helped Ukraine many times and in many ways to ensure the security of their energy supplies.” “Reports about Ukraine’s changing their regulations under which shipments by Russia’s Lukoil cannot transit Ukraine to Hungary came out of the blue,” the foreign ministry quoted Szijjártó as saying in a statement.
Ukraine’s decision seriously impacts Hungarian and Slovakian oil security
Lukoil supplies one half of the oil imported from the east by pipeline, the statement said, adding that Hungary and Slovakia purchased an annual two million tonnes of crude oil from the Russian company.
“The Ukrainian decision will seriously impact the security of oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia in the long term,” Szijjártó said.
“We have told Ukraine’s authorities that it has been an incomprehensible, unacceptable and unfriendly decision … they showed some readiness to remedy the situation but those endeavours were somehow interrupted half way,” he said. The foreign minister added that the Hungarian government was in contact with its Slovak counterpart, and that the matter would be raised at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday.
“It is strange that a country aspiring to be integrated with the EU is seriously jeopardising the energy supplies of two member states,” he said. “We are working to come up with a solution though we have not caused the problem; Ukraine should resolve it and I sincerely hope that they will soon do so,” Szijjártó said.
Read also:
- Here’s when the two blocks of the Paks NPP will be ready – Read more HERE
- Ukraine blocks Russian oil imports to Hungary!
PM Orbán’s warning after Moscow, Kyiv visits to EU Council President about radical war escalation
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán made public a summary of his visits to the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, China, and Türkiye as well as to former US President Donald Trump, together with his recommendations to Charles Michel, the head of the European Council, the PM’s press chief told MTI.
Parts of the report “have come to light already” and the prime minister will publish the complete document “in the interest of comprehension and transparency”, Bertalan Havasi said. The prime minister hopes that his report and proposals could contribute to possible future initiatives Michel “could submit to leaders of the EU given the right time and in the appropriate format”, Havasi said. The document is available on the prime minister’s website miniszterelnok.hu. But you can also read below:
“Dear President,
Please find below a summary evaluation of my recent discussions with leaders of Ukraine, Russia, China, Türkiye and President Donald J. Trump, as well as a few suggestions for your consideration.
1. It is a general observation that the intensity of the military conflict will radically escalate in the near future.
2. I personally witnessed that the warring parties are determined to involve themselves deeper into the conflict, and neither of them would like to make initiatives for a ceasefire or peace negotiations. Therefore we can assume that tensions will not decrease and the parties will not start searching for a way out of the conflict without significant external involvement.
3. There are three global players that are able to influence developments: the European Union, the United States and China. We also have to take into consideration as an important regional player Türkiye as the only successful mediator between Ukraine and Russia since the outbreak of the hostilities in 2022.
4. China will continue its policy also formulated in international documents calling for a ceasefire and peace talks. However, China will play a more active role only if the chance for success of its engagement is close to certain. In their evaluation this is not the case at the moment.
5. With regards to the United States, I experienced at the NATO Summit and during my talks with President Trump that the US is at the moment heavily preoccupied with the presidential campaign. The incumbent President is making immense efforts to stay in the race. It is obvious that he is not capable of modifying the current US pro-war policy and therefore cannot be expected to start a new policy. As we have witnessed many times over the past years, in these situations bureaucracy without political leadership will continue to go down the previous path.
6. During my talks with President Trump, I came to a conclusion that foreign policy will play only a small role in his campaign, which is dominated by internal political questions. Therefore we can expect no peace initiative coming from him until the elections. I can however surely state that shortly after his election victory, he will not wait until his inauguration, but will be ready to act as a peace broker immediately. He has detailed and well-founded plans for this.
7. I am more than convinced that in the likely outcome of the victory of President Trump, the proportion of the financial burden between the US and the EU will significantly change to the EU’s disadvantage when it comes to the financial support of Ukraine.
8. Our European strategy in the name of transatlantic unity has copied the pro-war policy of the US. We have not had a sovereign and independent European strategy or political action plan up to now. I propose discussing whether the continuation of this policy is rational in the future. In the current situation we can find a window of opportunity with a strong moral and rational basis to begin a new chapter in our policy. In this new chapter we could make an effort to decrease tensions and/or create the conditions for a temporary ceasefire and/or start peace negotiations.
9. I propose initiating a discussion on the following proposals:
a. the initiative to conduct high-level political talks with China on the modalities of the next peace conference;
b. while maintaining the current high-level political contacts with Ukraine, reopening direct lines of diplomatic communication with Russia and the rehabilitation of such direct contacts in our political communication;
c. the launch of a coordinated political offensive towards the Global South whose appreciation we have lost concerning our position on the war in Ukraine resulting in the global isolation of the transatlantic community.
10. I hope that my reports and suggestions may prove to be a useful contribution to possible proposals and initiatives you will present to EU leaders at an appropriate occasion and in a convenient format.
Yours sincerely,
Viktor ORBÁN
Budapest, 12 July 2024″
Read also:
- British PM Starmer: Hungary to host next EPC summit
- PM Orbán: EU should not copy US Democrats’ foreign policy – Read more HERE
BREAKING: Ukraine blocks Russian oil imports to Hungary!
A new Ukrainian sanction, effective since late June, has halted Russian oil giant Lukoil’s supply to Hungarian company MOL Plc. via Ukraine. Due to Lukoil’s inability to lease the Ukrainian pipeline network, this disruption threatens MOL’s operations, as it processes around 70 percent of its oil from Russia. The situation raises concerns over a potential fuel supply crisis in Hungary and the surrounding region.
Lukoil halts oil supply to Hungary
Portfolio reports that Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, after discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New York, confirmed that Lukoil had halted its oil supply to Hungary via Ukraine due to new legal constraints. Szijjártó emphasised the importance of Russian oil for Hungary’s energy security and stated that efforts are underway to find a legal solution to resume deliveries. MOL is collaborating with Lukoil to reestablish oil transit through Belarus and Ukraine.
Portfolio contacted MOL, but the company refused to respond, stating that negotiation details are confidential. The issue arose from a Ukrainian presidential decree effective 26 June, tightening sanctions on Lukoil before Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán’s early July visit to Kyiv. This decree bans Lukoil and Rosneft from renting Ukraine’s state-owned oil network, disrupting MOL’s Russian oil imports from Lukoil.
MOL to suffer from the ban on Russian oil
Lukoil, a major supplier of crude oil to Hungary via the Southern Friendship pipeline, has been affected by recent Ukrainian sanctions. This is significant for MOL, which relies on Russian supplies for two-thirds of its crude oil imports, with Lukoil alone accounting for about half of these imports, roughly 6-6.2 million tonnes annually. Consequently, MOL has lost around one-third of its crude oil imports in recent weeks, raising concerns about supply security.
Despite Fitch Ratings suggesting MOL could replace Russian crude by 2025, and the company’s strategy to diversify sources by 2026, the new Ukrainian measures pose a critical challenge depending on their duration and conditions, as highlighted by energy expert Attila Holoda. In addition, there is no deadline on the recent Ukrainian decree.
The outlooks
The security of Hungary’s oil supply is at increased risk due to the recent Ukrainian sanctions affecting Lukoil’s transit through the southern branch of the Friendship pipeline, which also supplies Slovakia and the Czech Republic. MOL’s Slovakian subsidiary, Slovnaft, is impacted, although it is blending more non-Russian crude during refinery maintenance. The EU sanctions require Slovnaft to significantly increase its non-Russian input to 60 percent by year-end, having already reached 30 percent.
Additionally, Hungary faces constraints with the Adriatic pipeline from Croatia, which cannot fully meet the combined needs of MOL’s Százhalombatta and Bratislava refineries. Strained Hungarian–Croatian relations and increased transit costs further complicate imports. However, strategic reserves and alternative non-sanctioned sources can mitigate supply difficulties, along with intermittent use of the Adriatic pipeline for non-Russian oil.
Read also:
EU parliament condemned PM Orbán’s visit to Moscow
Newly elected European Parliament reaffirmed its strong support for Ukraine, provide military support to Ukraine for as long as, and in whatever form, is necessary. They also condemned PM Orbán’s visit to Moscow and said EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus should be maintained and extended.
Orbán in “blatant violation of the EU’s treaties and common foreign policy”
The resolution condemned “Russia’s barbaric missile attack on the Okhmadyt children’s hospital in Kyiv, and the recent visit of the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to the Russian Federation, which does not represent the EU and is a blatant violation of the EU’s treaties and common foreign policy. The text states that Hungary should face repercussions for these actions. Given the Hungarian Prime Minister’s so-called “peace mission” was immediately followed by the children’s hospital attack, the resolution also says this shows the “irrelevance” of Orbán’s alleged peace efforts.” HERE is the full text of the resolution.
Hungarian MEPs comment on EP’s support to Ukraine
At its plenary session on Wednesday, the European Parliament adopted its first official position in which most MEPs urged continued and firm support to Ukraine, including increased military support as long as it was needed.
Viktória Ferencz, MEP of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz, said after the vote that the war was a “most trying time” for Ukraine’s Trancarpathia Hungarians, and condemned last week’s Russian attack against a paediatric hospital in Kyiv. “Through restoring peace, such tragedies could be avoided and Hungary has opened diplomatic channels to that end,” she said. The Hungarian government has supported Ukraine’s endeavours to get closer to the EU and restoration of the rights of the ethnic Hungarian community,” she added.
Referring to the EP position’s condemning the peace mission of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, MEP András László said the leftist majority of the parliament and the European People’s Party were “obviously scared” of the initivative and of Orban’s meeting “the leaders of the largest countries and powers”. Hungary tries to facilitate a peaceful settlement in Ukraine through opening diplomatic channels, he said. “We have seen that the European Parliament is not at all open to such an idea and has adopted a contrary position ensuring military aid in all forms and without time constraints to Ukraine,” he added.
According to László, the document’s calling on member states to provide military aid to Ukraine in proportion to their GDP was contrary to the European integration’s original goal of ensuring a lasting peace in Europe. “The EP has so far strived to facilitiate a peaceful rather than a military settlement in all conflicts in the world,” he said and regretted that the body “demands a penalty for Hungary for attempting to open diplomatic channels”.
László also called it regrettable that the EP had rejected Hungary’s proposal to hold a debate on political violence. He said it was “sad” that the EP would not discuss such incidents as the assassination attempts against Slovak PM Rober Fico and former US President Donald Trump and suggested that MEPs voting down the proposal had become “privy to political violence through their silence”. “This cannot be a part of democracy and the EP has made a huge mistake,” he added.
Read also:
- What will the NATO say? Hungarian foreign minister holds talks with Russia’s Lavrov!
- Trump chooses Orbán-fan Ohio senator as running mate – Read more HERE
Hungarian foreign minister: Hungary wants a Ukraine peace summit with Putin
Reuters writes that Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister, talked about a peace summit with Russia about ending the war in Ukraine.
Szijjártó talked about the plan to the Russian state-owned news outlet, RIA Novosti. He said he would like the future peace conference to have Russia and Ukraine at the negotiating table. That would contradict the concept of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, organised in Switzerland, where Moscow was not invited.
EP rejects PfE initiative to condemn political violence
The Patriots for Europe group initiated a debate in the European Parliament on Wednesday, aiming to condemn political violence in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump, but the EP voted down the proposal, Fidesz MEP Kinga Gál said in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
Gál, who also serves as the vice-president of PfE, slammed the EP for “not doing anything against political violence which is also present in Europe”, pointing to the assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and the case of Ilaria Salis, an Italian activist who was detained in Hungary on assault charges until she was elected MEP, “who, despite almost killing an innocent man, is now sitting in the EP lecturing us how we should behave.”
Regarding the EP vote on Vice-Presidents on Tuesday, Gál said in a speech ahead of the agenda that it was “disrespectful of the 18 million voters behind PfE, and of the fundamental rules of democracy and the rule of law” that the EP had voted against both PfE candidates.
“It is unacceptable that the positions the Patriots are entitled to basically went to a communist extremist,” she said, adding that legal action was “not off the table”. “We must fight for what we’re entitled to under EP regulations.”
According to parliamentary minutes, the initiative was rejected with 339 votes against, 119 in favour and 15 abstentions.
Read also:
- Orbán cabinet suspicious about von der Leyen campaign – Read more HERE
- POLITICO: EU to boycott Hungary’s foreign affairs summit
What will the NATO say? Hungarian foreign minister holds talks with Russia’s Lavrov!
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó discussed the war in Ukraine and bilateral relations with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in New York on Tuesday. According to a ministry statement, Szijjártó told reporters after the meeting that Hungary wanted peace because it had been living in the shadow of the war for two and a half years now and was directly impacted by the conflict’s negative effects.
Szijjártó met Lavrov in New York again
Szijjártó said the West’s strategy had “failed”, arguing that “regardless of the weapons deliveries, regardless of the sanctions”, the situation on the battlefield had not gone the way the Europeans and the Americans had hoped.
“So if this strategy has failed then we need a new strategy,” he said. “With no solution on the battlefield, the solution must come from the negotiating table.”
This, he said, required diplomatic channels, without which “it will be very, very complicated to reach any kind of solution.”
Meanwhile, Szijjártó said he and Lavrov had also touched on bilateral issues, including the upgrade of Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant. He said he is scheduled to discuss the matter with Alexei Likhachev, the head of Russian nuclear energy company Rosatom, in Istanbul on Wednesday, because “there is a very interesting development”.
He noted that though Rosatom is the main contractor on the upgrade, there are also American, German and French companies working on the project, which he said “offers hope” for an eventual return to “normality” in international relations.
Joint work in nuclear projects
“Because if American, German, French and Russian companies can work together on a nuclear project, then they might be able to work together on another project as well in the future,” he added.
Turning to the issue of oil and gas supply, Szijjártó said gas deliveries were running smoothly, but Lukoil was currently not delivering oil to Hungary via Ukraine, and a legal solution was being sought in an effort to restart deliveries.
He said they also discussed Hungarian higher-education scholarships for Russian students, and they have also scheduled the next meeting of the Hungarian-Russian joint economic committee for Sept 20, which will also include an economic forum.
Szijjártó said the aim was to continue developing cooperation between the two countries in areas not affected by sanctions, as several Hungarian companies were successful on the Russian market in sectors like agriculture and the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Szijjártó: ‘Civilised East-West cooperation’ essential to meeting sustainable development goals
Civilised East-West cooperation is essential to achieving UN sustainable development and environmental protection goals, Szijjártó said in New York. UN climate protection goals set a few years ago will affect the future of the entire planet, the ministry cited Szijjarto telling a high-level political forum on sustainable development at the United Nations in New York on Tuesday.
“Last year was the warmest year ever, and the past decade was the warmest ever decade … so it clearly shows that environmental protection must be an important issue in the long term,” he said.
“If the major countries in world politics do not talk to each other, if they cut the diplomatic channels, if they are unable to maintained civilised cooperation, then we cannot achieve results in matters that are important for the future of the entire planet,” he added. Szijjarto said that achieving the UN sustainable development goals and protecting the environment would be impossible globally if the major states continued to refuse to talk to each other.
Nuclear energy reliable and sustainable
“Without a civilised East-West cooperation, it is impossible to achieve results in important matters affecting the future of the planet. In a cold war atmosphere it will be impossible to fulfil the environmental protection and sustainable development goals,” he said.
He added that Hungary showed an encouraging example, citing the expansion project of the Paks nuclear power station, which, he said, proved that despite all ideological attacks, nuclear energy could be used to produce a large volume of electricity in a reliable and sustainable way.
He noted that the general contractor for the project is Russian, but American, German and French subcontractors are also involved. Such cooperation “shows common sense prevailing over political prejudice and ideological motivations”, he added.
“There is still a chance for international cooperation based on common sense, even among those that for the time being refuse to even talk to each other in politics,” he said.
Stigmatising country for keeping diplomatic channels open ‘unacceptable’, says minister
Szijjártó said it was “unacceptable” that a country should be stigmatised in the transatlantic community for holding talks in the interest of peace and arguing in support of keeping diplomatic channels open. The ministry cited Szijjártó as saying in New York that the current Russian presidency of the UN Security Council had convened a meeting on the global security situation, and he would address the meeting on behalf of Hungary which has been living in the shadow of the war in Ukraine for two and a half years.
He said thousands of people were dying in the neighbouring country and there was a threat of the danger of destruction, plus the conflict carried a long-term risk for the reformation of blocs in the world and the return of the Cold War era. Hungary, he added, had already lost out on such a situation once and did not want to get in the same situation again.
“I have been a foreign minister for nearly ten years and during these ten years attended numerous EU meetings where we discussed wars and armed conflicts taking place in various parts of the world, usually far away from Europe, and every time the European Union, European counterparts, the Brussels bureaucrats, and the high representative for foreign affairs stated in an arrogant and scornful manner that everyone must be called on to restore peace, lay down their arms, and everyone must be called on to find a peaceful solution to the war conflict,” he said.
Currently, however, in the case of the war in Ukraine, “the EU, the European bureaucrats and leaders argue for the direct opposite”, he said.
“Not only do they not want peace talks, not only do they continually sharpen the conflict and not only do they not consider escalation a danger, but when someone talks about peace and calls for talks, they immediately brand them ‘a Putin puppet, a spy of the Russians, a Kremlin’s propagandist, a Trojan horse’, etc.,” Szijjártó said.
He also lamented that they questioned the legitimacy of using diplomatic channels, which he said was unacceptable.
“It is unacceptable in the 21st century that someone should be stigmatised in Europe, America and the transatlantic community for arguing in support of keeping a given country’s diplomatic channels open … because a given country pursues diplomatic talks in the interest of peace,” he said.
He also said that recent years had demonstrated that Europe was following the wrong path in terms of its leaders having practically given up on the possibility of an independent strategy concerning the war and instead copying the American strategy, disregarding all considerations of their own.
Szijjártó said the continent had consequently found itself having to live in the shadow of the danger of war, with the risk of escalation being extremely high.
“It is high time for Europe to go its own way in terms of the war in Ukraine,” he said. “It is high time for Europe to have its strategy for peace, because the war is under way in Europe, with Europeans dying and a European country standing on the verge of destruction, so the madness must be stopped at this point.”
If the situation did not change, the war would get out of control and the risk of escalation would be “dramatically higher”, Szijjártó said.
The UN has been established exactly for the purpose of ensuring that everyone could talk to each other, even in case they were enemies, he added.
“In light of this, the European efforts to ban certain countries from maintaining talks with the Russians, the Belarusians and the Chinese under the auspices of the UN was totally unacceptable,” he said.
“Europe must return to the grounds of common sense and the path of diplomatic solutions; the legitimacy of the use of diplomatic channels must be given back, and diplomatic channels must be reopened with Russia, while simultaneously talks must be held with the Ukrainians because this could be the only solution to the war,” he said.
Read also:
- Trump chooses Orbán-fan Ohio senator as running mate – Read more HERE
- Hungarian foreign minister: those speaking about peace are not spies, Trojan horses
FM Szijjártó: Peace is easier to achieve with negotiations
The chance for achieving peace is “far greater” with negotiations, re-opening diplomatic channels and dialogue than with weapons deliveries, sanctions and a strategy based on diplomatic refusal, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, said in a telephone interview with public radio broadcast on Sunday.
Szijjártó said it was now “apparent to everybody” that the strategy of Europe and the United States over the past two and a half years didn’t work, even though Western politicians wouldn’t say so in public because that would be an admission of failure.
Sanctions were a “shot in the foot, then the knee, then the chest” for the European economy, while European and American weapons deliveries didn’t change the situation on the battlefield and didn’t bring the war any nearer to a close, he added.
Szijjártó said there was no solution on the battlefield and that resolution needed to be sought at the negotiating table and by opening diplomatic channels. He added that restoring the legitimacy of dialogue for peace was “extraordinarily important”.
Addressing Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s talks in the past week, Szijjártó said no politician, especially a European one, could have done what the prime minister did. Besides Hungary’s prime minister, European politicians who can talk to everybody, who are welcomed everywhere and accepted as negotiating partners are no more, he added.
“Besides Viktor Orbán, there is nobody in Europe today in the position to hold talks with the presidents of China, Russia, Ukraine, Turkiye and the former, and many think future, president of the United States in the course of a week,” he said.
He added that there were three big players on the global political scene today that could achieve a ceasefire: China, the United States and the European Union.
At least two, but preferably three, must advocate for peace if there is a chance for the warring sides to move in the direction of peace rather than further escalation, he said.
He said the US presidential election could have a decisive impact on the matter as it would determine whether the US continued its “pro-war policy” or there was a chance to bring pro-peace policy to the forefront.
Commenting on the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, Szijjártó pointed to attempts “to block pro-peace policies with the most brutal, most unimaginable” means, just as with the Slovak prime minister, Robert Fico.
Read also:
Shift in retail: Is Russian Mere pushing others out of Hungary?
In mid-July, the long-standing store of Hungary’s second-largest retail chain, SPAR, will permanently close its doors in a major rural city. Rumours are spreading that the Russian chain Mere might take over the location. However, the city of 70,000 will not be left without a SPAR presence.
Last week, the business publication Világgazdaság reported that Hungary’s first Mere store might open in Budapest’s IV district, possibly in a former SPAR location. Now, a similar scenario is unfolding in Szolnok, the county seat of Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County.
Details of the closure
The news of the SPAR store closure in Szolnok first appeared on social media and was later confirmed by local media, including Szol24. Despite SPAR’s popularity and expansion in Hungary, the central city store in the Pelikán Shopping Center will close on 14 July at 2 PM.
Even with this closure, Szolnok will still have other SPAR outlets nearby and an Interspar as well, Világgazdaság writes. SPAR Hungary operates 641 units nationwide with over 17,000 employees, making it a significant employer. In 2023, SPAR invested in new store openings and renovations.
Reasons for the closure and employee impact
Világgazdaság contacted SPAR Hungary for details on the closure. SPAR’s Communications Director, Márk Maczelka, explained that annual performance reviews sometimes lead to store closures for cost rationalisation. This year’s review indicated that the SPAR supermarket at 15 Ady Endre Street in Szolnok could not be operated profitably, leading to its closure on 14 July 2024.
Maczelka emphasised appreciation for the staff’s efforts and mentioned that most affected employees were offered positions in other stores. Those unable to accept new roles would receive benefits according to their tenure and the collective agreement.
Potential Mere store opening
Rumours suggest that the Russian Mere might open a store in the soon-to-be-vacant location in the Pelikán Shopping Center. While the centre’s management neither confirmed nor denied this, they stated that discussions with several interested parties are ongoing. It is confirmed that a new grocery store will eventually occupy the ground floor, but the specific chain remains uncertain. SPAR Hungary did not comment on potential new store openings by other chains.
According to Szol24, in Budapest, the Russian supermarket chain is expanding on the site of the SPAR stores that are closing, and its main attraction is its extremely low price. In addition to being cheap, the Russian supermarket is also special because they don’t put anything on the shelves but they simply offer a selection of pallets and boxes for the customer.
Read also:
Will Hungary bring peace to Ukraine with Türkiye?
Hungary and Türkiye are strengthening cooperation to make sure that “peace returns to the agenda of international organisations”, the foreign minister said in Washington, DC on Wednesday.
According to a ministry statement, Péter Szijjártó told the NATO summit that Hungary and Türkiye “have had highest-level talks within the framework of the peace mission launched after [Hungary] took over the European presidency.”
He said Türkiye was the only country whose efforts to mediate between Ukraine and Russia had been successful, and the resulting agreement on grain helped stave off a food-supply crisis in several places around the world.
“In the coming period we’ll coordinate our work even more with Türkiye … to make sure that peace at least will be included on the agenda of international organisations,” he said.
He called it “problematic” that international organisations, including the NATO summit, were “abuzz with discussions” on war. “Peace as an expression has become as good as illegitimate in those organisations.”
Those bringing up peace, he said, had been stigmatised and “labelled everything from Putin’s puppet to a Trojan horse, Russian agent and a propagandist of the Kremlin.”
Budapest and Ankara both have as much information on the war as possible
Erdogan, too, recently met Russian President Vladimir Putin, so “Budapest and Ankara both have as much information on the war as possible.”
Hungary and Türkiye agree on the importance of a peace conference with both warring side in attendance, Szijjártó said. The peace conference in Switzerland, he added, showed that “it’s impossible to find a solution if only one warring party is present”.
He said the past two and a half years showed that the Western strategy had failed. Compared with the situation at the start of the war, “we must say the situation is much worse now… Who knows how many dead, millions of refugees, a country largely in ruins, a deteriorating situation at the front, increasingly cruel and brutal war events, an mounting threat of escalation; that’s where we are right now,” he said.
“We need a strategy that opens communication channels and restores the legitimacy of diplomacy,” he added.
Speaking about a meeting with his Serbian counterpart, Szijjártó said the talks were important “because both countries want peace and they are constantly under political attack for that. Those attacks will not deter us from representing the cause of peace and national interests,” he said.
EU enlargement policy to lose credibility unless W Balkans accession speeded up
Western Balkans countries have been waiting for European Union membership for more than 15 years on average, the foreign minister said on Facebook late on Wednesday, adding that the bloc’s enlargement policy was at risk of losing all credibility if the accession process was not speeded up. “Some may want just that, but we won’t allow it, and will help Montenegro in closing at least 7 chapters” during Hungary’s EU presidency, Szijjártó said.
Read also:
- Europe’s security unimaginable without Russia, the Orbán cabinet believes
- PM Orbán continues “peace mission” in Washington, wants NATO to remain defence alliance
Europe’s security unimaginable without Russia, the Orbán cabinet believes
Concerning Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow last week, Bóka said the visit had not violated international or EU law, underlining that if the EU wanted to take steps to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, it had to keep communication channels with Moscow open.
In an interview with Euronews, the Hungarian minister highlighted Europe had to maintain a kind of relationship with Russia provided it wanted to protect itself. He added Moscow’s role is unquestionable if Europe wants to build a sustainable security system. He also highlighted that Hungary – like all EU members – supports the territorial integrity of a sovereign Ukraine.
Hungary to work on strengthening EU’s competitiveness during presidency
Budapest will be aiming to strengthen the European Union’s competitiveness during the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union, János Bóka, the EU affairs minister, said in Brussels on Wednesday.
Outlining this month’s schedule of informal Council meetings in Hungary, Bóka told a press conference that these meetings would aim to shape the bloc’s competitiveness and political direction.
This month Hungary will host informal meetings of the EU’s environmental protection, justice and interior ministers, among others, he said.
The ministers in charge of environmental protection will discuss water management, while justice and interior ministers will cover cooperation among EU judicial bodies, the role of artificial intelligence in court proceedings, the fight against organised crime and migration, he added.
Meanwhile, Bóka said the next round of Council hearings in the EU’s Article 7 procedure against Hungary were expected to be held after the Hungarian presidency, adding, at the same time, that he was not against holding such a hearing during the next six months.
Communication channels with Russian must be maintained
Concerning Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow last week, Bóka said the visit had not violated international or EU law, underlining that if the EU wanted to take steps to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, it had to keep communication channels with Moscow open.
Asked about a strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, the minister said these kinds of “shocking atrocities” further demonstrated the urgent need for peace.
As regards Orbán’s visit to Kyiv, he said Budapest and Kyiv had “begun a new chapter” in their relations. Concerning the prime minister’s visit to Beijing, Bóka said that if the goal was to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine, China could not be left out.
Meanwhile, Bóka said that the prime minister — though he had not been obliged to do so — had briefed EU leaders on his visit to Moscow.
Read also:
- PM Orbán continues “peace mission” in Washington, wants NATO to remain defence alliance