The European Union has rejected a request from Hungary and Slovakia to support their appeal to Ukraine for the resumption of oil transit from the Russian company Lukoil.
The disagreement over disruptions in Lukoil’s oil transit has left the two countries without the backing they sought from the EU.
The issue came to the fore during a meeting of EU permanent representatives on Wednesday, 24 July. Hungary and Slovakia urged the European Commission to initiate consultations with Ukraine concerning the Lukoil oil transit under the terms of the Association Agreement. This agreement aims to promote political and economic cooperation between the EU and Ukraine.
However, Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU Commissioner for Trade, indicated that Brussels would need more time to gather evidence and assess the legal situation before taking any action.
According to Financial Times sources within the EU diplomatic circle, 11 member states supported Dombrovskis’ position, leaving Hungary and Slovakia isolated in their appeal.
Legal and Political Implications
A diplomat informed the Financial Times that the Association Agreement with Ukraine includes a security clause that theoretically allows for the interruption of Russian oil supplies. This clause has become a focal point in the ongoing debate.
Hungary and Slovakia had previously received exemptions from the EU’s comprehensive ban on Russian oil imports, implemented following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Despite these exemptions, Ukraine recently ordered the cessation of Lukoil’s oil product transit through the Druzhba pipeline.
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