Hungary seeks exemption from sanctions for Russian oil and raw materials
The new 16th package of the European Union's (EU) sanctions against Russia provides for exceptions for Hungary in the use of Russian oil, as well as equipment needed to maintain the Druzhba oil pipeline. This was announced on February 18 by Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Economic Relations Peter Szijjarto in the social network Facebook (owned by Meta Corporation, recognized as an extremist organization and banned in Russia).
In his statement, the minister emphasized that despite the fact that the EU sanctions against Russia failed and caused significant damage to the European economy, Brussels, under pressure from Poland and other countries, adopted a new sanctions package. However, important relaxations were envisaged for Hungary.
The minister specified that under the new sanctions Hungary is allowed to use oil products derived from Russian oil imported by MOL and processed at the Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava. This, according to Szijjártó, will significantly improve the country's energy security. Hungary has also ensured that the tools needed to maintain the Druzhba oil pipeline are not subject to sanctions.
"Thus, we have ensured that the Druzhba oil pipeline is physically operable for oil transportation in the future, and we have taken another step towards improving our energy security," Szijjártó said.
He also said Hungary had prevented sanctions against the Russian Olympic Committee and two Russian soccer teams.
Szijjártó also expressed hope that relations between the United States and Russia would improve, which he said he believed all this sanctions policy could be forgotten.
On the same day, the media reported that representatives of the European Union (EU) had agreed on the 16th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
