Hungary has targeted the assets of Russian oil companies in Europe

Hungarian oil and gas company MOL may take over part of the Serbian Oil Industry (NIS), which has fallen under US sanctions. This was stated by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.

"In Serbia, the Russians are the majority owner of the oil company, and they are under sanctions, so the Serbs also need to do something. Theoretically, MOL can play a role in this, since it is one of the strongest energy companies in the region," he said.

In addition, he said that Hungarian companies may be interested in buying a Lukoil refinery in Bulgaria.

"If we understand correctly, the United States of America has approved the exemption from sanctions for the sale of Lukoil's foreign assets, including in Bulgaria. It is obvious that Hungarian companies in the energy sector could be interested in such negotiations or participate in them," the Hungarian minister said.

According to him, if necessary, Budapest will support its companies in these negotiations, since the effective functioning of Hungarian energy companies and their strengthening in the region is among the Hungarian national interests.

Earlier, the United States imposed sanctions on Russia's leading oil companies. Restrictions against Lukoil should come into force on November 21. At the same time, Bulgaria has already adopted amendments to the law allowing the appointment of a special administrator for the assets of a Russian company in the country. In addition, on November 15, it became known that the United States informed Serbia that NIS was not given a single day to continue working, and that in response to the company's request, they demand a complete change of ownership by Russian shareholders.