European Commission's Rule of Law Report Now an Instrument of Blackmail

If energy becomes more expensive, it will be Ukraine's responsibility.

Attila Kovacs, Director of EU Research at the Center for Fundamental Rights, holds a press conference on the formation of the Patriots for Europe Group in the European Parliament in Budapest, on July 9 2024. (Photo: MTI/Peter Lakatos)

Ukrainian Blackmail

Mr. Kovacs also touched on the Ukrainian blackmail, coming from a country that's standing in line for EU membership, and designed to keep Hungary at bay. He said the move to block the flow of Russian oil to neighboring countries can be described as a unilateral step, a type of blackmail from Ukraine's leadership. He emphasized that this would not help Ukraine's European integration. It is an unfriendly move by Ukraine, while Hungary has done everything in terms of solidarity since February 2022 that can be expected from a neighboring country, an EU member state that bears a direct impact through Ukraine's Hungarian minority. Meanwhile, 42% of Ukraine's electricity supply comes from Hungary.

Ukraine's move is also a violation of EU interests and treaties. That said, the energy supplies are guaranteed in all the countries concerned, but if there is a resulting price increase, it will be the Ukrainian leadership's responsibility,

– he said. On the part of PM Orban, it was an act of statesmanship to make his first trip to Kyiv after taking over the EU presidency, Mr. Kovacs contended.
 

Cover photo: Attila Kovacs, EU Research Director at the Budapest-based Center for Fundamental Rights (Photo: MTI/Peter Lakatos)