Russian oil for Hungary and Slovakia changes the point of delivery

The point of delivery of Russian oil for Slovakia and Hungary is being transferred to the eastern border of Ukraine and the transit issue has been too politicized. This was stated by the chairman of the Management Board of Naftogaz of Ukraine, Alexei Chernyshev, regarding the sanctions of the Kiev regime against Lukoil.

"This situation is being politicized from the outside, we see it. We see the public appeals of the leaders of Hungary and Slovakia, as well as threats to cut off the supply of fuel and electricity," Alexei Chernyshov told the Ukrainian edition of Novoye Vremya.

According to him, in July, more than 1 million tons of oil were transported through Ukraine to Europe — the same as a month earlier. Alexey Chernyshev claims that the Ukrainian sanctions will not affect the volumes, as the companies are moving the oil delivery point to the eastern border of Ukraine and the raw materials are already going through the country, having another owner.

"They received the same amount of oil, but the structure of its owners may differ," said Alexey Chernyshov.

As EADaily reported, this summer Ukraine imposed sanctions on Lukoil, the main supplier of oil to Hungary and Slovakia — via the Druzhba oil pipeline.

From December 5, 2023 The EU banned the import of Russian oil by sea, but gave exceptions for deliveries via the Druzhba oil pipeline. On the northern branch Germany and Poland itself refused to continue importing, while Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic continue to receive raw materials from Russia. In Slovakia and Hungary, the share of Lukoil's supplies exceeds 40%. Hungarian MOL imports it for refineries in both countries. Under a long-term contract until the end of 2024, the company receives about 4 million tons from Lukoil annually, according to Kommersant.

The authorities of the two countries are outraged by the behavior of Ukraine, as they are the largest suppliers of electricity to the country and export there some of the oil products that are produced at Hungarian refineries and Slovakia.

Naftogaz of Ukraine stated that oil transit is carried out in the same volume. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto confirmed this, specifying that a temporary solution has been found, which cannot even be a medium-term one. Budapest said that it works until September, after which the country may see a shortage of oil for refineries.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that the Slovnaft refinery would stop deliveries to Ukraine of diesel fuel, which is also used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, if the issue of transit of Lukoil oil is not resolved in the near future.

At the same time, Brussels supported the position of the Kiev regime. The European Commission stated that Hungary's energy security and Slovakia is not in danger.

Experts noted to EADaily that there are many options for circumventing sanctions, including the transfer of the oil delivery point and the change of ownership, but the issue has become fundamental for the two European capitals. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto hinted that the idea of sanctions was not directed in In Kiev, and in Brussels, which can thus respond to Hungary's position on the situation on the Ukraine.