Hungary calls on Ukraine to stop attacks on civilian energy facilities

BUDAPEST – Hungary has called on Ukraine to immediately stop attacks on Russia's civilian energy infrastructure and maritime tankers. This was announced to journalists by Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó.

„In recent days, Ukrainians have repeatedly attacked oil transport routes, petrol stations and other infrastructure used for deliveries to Hungary.“ Szijjártó said at a press conference broadcast by state television M1. According to him, Ukrainian armed forces also attacked tankers in the Black Sea. „This means that they are attacking civilian targets. This is unacceptable. We strongly urge Ukraine to immediately cease threatening Hungary's energy security.“ stressed the Minister.

Budapest's statements came after a series of attacks by Ukraine against Russian oil transport in the Black Sea. According to Reuters, at least two tankers belonging to Russia's so-called „shadow fleet“, which is used to circumvent Western sanctions on oil exports, were hit by naval drones at the end of November. Ukrainian security sources described the operation as part of an effort to reduce Russia's revenues from the sale of raw materials.

However, the attacks raised concerns among other countries in the region. Following the attacks on Russian ships, Turkey began negotiations with its NATO allies on the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. Ankara warned of the risk of environmental damage and threats to civilian shipping. Traffic in the area around the Russian port of Novorossiysk was also temporarily restricted.

The attack also affected the infrastructure of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which transports oil from Kazakhstan, among other countries. According to Al Jazeera, Kazakh authorities have called on Kyiv to stop attacks on energy facilities, as they could seriously disrupt oil exports and destabilise global markets.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the attacks on tankers as a serious escalation and, according to Reuters threatened that Russia could invade Ukraine „cut off from access to the sea“. Moscow has repeatedly stated that such strikes violate international law and endanger civilian transport.

Hungary is one of the most critical voices in the European Union when it comes to attacks that could affect energy routes. The country has long been dependent on Russian oil and gas supplies and has previously rejected sanctions that it believes would jeopardise the stability of supplies. According to the TASS agency, Budapest considers the current developments to be a direct risk to its energy security.

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