Hungary Considers Power Cut to Ukraine Amid Oil Dispute

Hungary may cut power and gas exports to Ukraine if oil flows via the Druzhba pipeline don't resume. Due to a Russian drone attack, supplies halted on January 27. Hungary and Slovakia, heavily reliant on Russian oil, are tapping reserves. Accusations between the countries have complicated the situation.

Hungary is considering halting power and gas exports to Ukraine unless oil shipments resume through the Druzhba pipeline, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, announced on Thursday. This follows pipeline disruptions Hungary blames on Ukrainian delays amidst geopolitical tensions.

With oil flow halted since January 27 due to alleged Russian drone attacks, Slovakia and Hungary are tapping into strategic reserves. Slovakia recently approved a 250,000-ton loan of oil, and Hungary freed up strategic reserves at the request of refiner MOL to mitigate supply shortages.

Hungary and Slovakia, critical suppliers of power to Ukraine, have escalated the situation by accusing Ukraine of using political reasons to delay pipeline reactivation. Both countries are exploring alternative supply channels through the Adriatic pipeline, despite the EU sanctions on Russian crude imports.

(With inputs from agencies.)