Jul 21, 2024
Ukraine’s putting Russian oil company Lukoil on the sanctions list harms not Russia, but first of all some countries of the European Union, which is unacceptable, the Slovak government said on Saturday.
“[Slovak Prime Minister] Robert Fico is convinced that the inclusion of Russia’s Lukoil in the sanctions list is just another example of absurd sanctions, which harm not Russia, but primarily some countries of the European Union, which is unacceptable,” the Slovak government said in a statement.
Fico also had a phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal concerning the situation and said that Slovakia was not going to be a “hostage of Ukrainian-Russian relations,” the statement read.
Slovak oil refinery Slovnaft will be receiving 40% less oil for processing than required as a result of the Ukrainian decision, which could lead to the suspension of supplies of diesel that Slovnaft produces for Ukraine, the government added.
The Slovak Economy Ministry earlier confirmed that the country was no longer receiving oil from Lukoil due to Ukraine stopping its transit through its territory. Slovnaft is provided with supplies of Russian oil from another supplier, but the current situation is being discussed with the Ukrainian side, the ministry also said.
Published at sputnikglobe.com
Ukraine ‘Shot Itself in the Foot’ by Banning Transit of Lukoil Crude to Hungary and Slovakia
Jul 21, 2024
Hungary and Slovakia stopped receiving oil from Russian oil giant Lukoil via the Soviet-built Druzhba (‘Friendship’) pipeline which runs through northwestern Ukraine after Kiev imposed a transit ban. Financial analyst Paul Goncharoff says the move is both counterproductive and shortsighted, but that hasn’t stopped Ukraine’s authorities before.
Officials in Budapest and Bratislava confirmed this week that the delivery of oil supplies purchased from Lukoil through the Druzhba oil pipeline network had dried up.
Slovakian oil transporter Transpetrol said non-Lukoil Russian deliveries appear unaffected so far.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said Budapest is receiving oil via the TurkStream pipeline, running from Russia through the Black Sea to southeastern Europe, but that supplies via Druzhba had been stopped “due to a new legal situation” imposed by Kiev.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that Moscow doubts whether dialogue with the Ukrainian companies responsible for oil transit on this issue is possible.
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