Ukraine's primary objective is to impose sanctions on Russian gas, aiming to cut off the Kremlin's revenue from hydrocarbon sales, which Russia uses to fund its war efforts, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
“We urge all European countries to completely stop using Russian oil and gas,” he said. While acknowledging that some countries remain dependent on Russian energy, he expressed hope that they would gradually diversify their supply sources.
Shmyhal also reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the EU Association Agreement and the Energy Charter Treaty.
The statement came during a press conference after Shmyhal met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Uzhhorod, where they discussed energy security and infrastructure projects. Shmyhal also emphasized the need for stronger support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's peace plan, as well as issues surrounding Ukraine’s EU membership, demining operations, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction efforts.
The Slovak media outlet reported on October 5 that Fico's government would seek to convince Ukraine to maintain the transit of Russian gas. Fico planned to emphasize the importance of preserving the transit of energy through Ukraine in their meeting on October 7. Slovakia and Hungary had earlier reported, on July 18, that Ukraine had stopped the transit of oil from the Russian company Lukoil.
Fico criticized the sanctions, calling them "senseless" and arguing that they hurt EU member states more than they affect Russia.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó also condemned Ukraine's decision to block the transit of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, calling it a "clear violation" of the EU Association Agreement. He further warned that Hungary would block €6.5 billion ($7.1 billion) from the European Peace Facility, which funds military aid to Ukraine until Kyiv allowed the transit of Russian oil.
In a related development, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini warned that Slovakia would be "forced to respond" if Ukraine didn’t reverse its position on the oil transit.
Hungary and Slovakia jointly requested that the European Commission hold consultations under the trade agreement with Ukraine regarding Russian oil transit. However, the European Commission rejected their request, according to The Financial Times on July 25.
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