Hungary Urges Ukraine to Protect Energy Supply Relationship
Hungary to Maintain Electricity and Gas Exports to Ukraine Despite Conflict
Budapest, March 17 – Hungary has announced that it will continue to export electricity and natural gas to Ukraine, despite the ongoing conflict in the region. Péter Szijjártó, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, made the statement following a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday.
According to Szijjártó, Hungary was the primary exporter of electricity to Ukraine last year, with 39 percent of Ukrainian electricity imports coming from Hungary. In addition, 42 percent of Ukraine’s natural gas imports also passed through Hungary. Despite the tensions, Hungary has committed to maintaining these deliveries to avoid further hardship for the Ukrainian people.
However, Szijjártó also stressed that Hungary expects Ukraine to ensure the safety of Hungarian energy supplies. He stated that attacks on the energy infrastructure bringing gas or crude oil to Hungary must be avoided to prevent any disruptions in supply.
During the meeting in Brussels, Szijjártó criticized the European Union’s approach to the conflict, arguing that the current path threatens the economy and security of the continent. He expressed Hungary’s opposition to proposals for increased arms shipments to Ukraine and immediate EU accession for the country.
Instead, Szijjártó emphasized the importance of peace talks between the US and Russia in resolving the conflict. He urged for support for these talks and condemned the EU’s focus on militarization and sanctions.
Szijjártó concluded by stating that Hungary would not support any initiatives that prolong the war and called for a shift towards a peaceful resolution. He criticized Brussels for its pro-war stance and highlighted the need for a unified approach to achieve peace in the region.
Overall, Hungary’s commitment to maintaining energy exports to Ukraine while advocating for peace demonstrates its dedication to promoting stability in the region despite the challenging circumstances.
