The European Commission rejected claims of an emerging energy crisis in a row over suspended Russian oil deliveries through Ukraine, which led to a veto against major new aid measures for Kiev.
“There is no immediate risk to the EU’s security of supply, both Hungary and Slovakia hold oil stocks in reserve,” said a European Commission spokeswoman after consultations with EU countries on Wednesday.
Budapest is accusing Kiev of seeking to trigger an energy supply crisis in Hungary by halting Russian oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline through Ukraine. However, Ukrainian officials say disruptions since late January were caused by Russian bombardment.
Hungary and Slovakia — both of which still rely on significant amounts of Russian pipeline oil — are blocking the European Union’s 20th sanctions package against Moscow. Hungary has also vetoed a €90 billion ($105 billion) financial assistance plan for Ukraine.
Hungary and Slovakia informed the commission that they have started to release emergency oil stocks, which are designed to cover roughly two months of consumption, the spokeswoman said, but that an alternative supply route is being set up.
Non-Russian crude is being transported to Hungary via Croatia through the Adria pipeline, with additional shipments en route to Croatia’s Omišalj oil terminal, the spokeswoman said.
The Adria pipeline has sufficient capacity to fully cover Hungary’s and Slovakia’s needs, and Croatia is assessing whether it can lawfully accept Russian crude oil at its port under existing EU and US sanctions, the spokeswoman said.