Russian oil transit via Druzhba pipeline is not just Ukraine’s issue — Ukrainian top official

Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Mykhailo Podolyak expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

“This is not only Ukraine’s issue; it is a matter of agreement between the European Union, the European Commission, Ukraine, Hungary, and Slovakia on the one hand. And in my view, the European Commission or the EU as a whole must take a much more active stance here. Because it’s not only Hungary and Slovakia that receive Russian oil products — other countries also buy Russian liquefied gas, not pipeline gas, but LNG, as well as Russian oil products and so on. So, this is not only about Hungary and Slovakia, I emphasize. Of course, we often focus on Hungary doing one thing and Slovakia another. Moreover, today the Slovak foreign minister said that they absolutely cannot give it up, since they have no other sources, and that it is convenient for them to buy Russian oil products or Russian gas, and so on,” he said.

Mykhailo Podolyak believes Slovakia will agree to give up Russian oil if an alternative supply source is available. He sees this as a matter of proper internal dialogue within the European Union.

"And this, in my view, is certainly the right kind of pressure — the same United States, by the way, has said it could fully replace Russian gas with American gas, or Russian oil with American oil. In addition, there is also North European gas and oil, Middle Eastern oil and gas, Asian gas, African oil and gas, and so on. So there are many options. The issue is that Europe is not making the necessary decisions. Look, today there was a statement that Europe will only consider how to completely ban Russian energy in 2027. You see? This is not just about Hungary, it concerns a number of EU countries. And that’s why I find this U.S. pressure on Europe regarding energy cooperation with Russia very welcome.

There are three points to settle. First, Russia must be banned in Europe — its energy, its cultural influence, everything — because one justifies the other and ultimately the war itself. Second, direct sanctions must be imposed on the main recipients of Russian oil and gas, such as China and India. Third, diversification is essential, especially since all the necessary resources are available on the market, and the prices are reasonable. Yes, logistics and infrastructure remain a challenge, but in principle, security always costs more," the advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office emphasized.

• U.S. President Donald Trump, in his UN General Assembly speech, stressed that NATO countries buying Russian oil and gas must stop purchasing energy from Russia.