Hungary will not cease electricity supply to Ukraine: reason – concern for the Hungarians in Transcarpathia

Electricity supply from Hungary to Ukraine

According to Главком: Hungary will not cease its electricity supply to Ukraine due to an energy dispute, in order to avoid issues for the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto emphasized that nearly 50% of electricity imports to Ukraine come through Hungarian networks. This decision was made considering that stopping electricity exports would primarily affect Hungarians living in Transcarpathia, creating special problems and challenges for them.

Reaction to the energy dispute

Szijjarto stressed that Hungary will refrain from radical steps in this dispute, acting with caution. He noted:

“Today we also discussed issues related to electricity supply. After all, nearly half of the electricity imports to Ukraine come from Hungary. However, we concluded that we need to act with particular care in this matter, as there are also Hungarians living on the other side of the border, and stopping electricity exports would primarily affect Transcarpathia, creating special problems, challenges, and suffering for those families living on the other side of the border.”

In turn, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reacted to the threats from Budapest and Bratislava regarding the possible cessation of electricity supply. In the Ukrainian MFA, such statements were labeled as blackmail. Szijjarto also noted that “our dispute is not with the people living in Ukraine, not with the families living in Ukraine. Our dispute is with the Ukrainian state, with the Ukrainian government, with President Zelensky.” Thus, Hungary emphasizes its willingness to continue supplying electricity to Ukraine, considering the social aspects of this issue.

This situation highlights the importance of energy ties between Hungary and Ukraine, especially in the context of a crisis that could exacerbate social problems for the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. Hungary, trying to avoid negative impacts on its citizens, demonstrates a desire for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, while also emphasizing its position regarding the Ukrainian government's decisions. This may indicate Budapest's desire to maintain stability in the region, which could be critically important in the current conditions of energy instability in Europe.