Slovakia, Hungary won't back EU sanctions on Russian energy

Slovakia and Hungary say they won't support sanctions against Russian energy that the European Union is preparing over the war in Ukraine

BUDAPEST, Hungary -- Slovakia and Hungary said Tuesday that they will not support sanctions against Russian energy that the European Union is preparing over the war in Ukraine, saying they are too reliant on those supplies and there are no immediate alternatives.

The EU’s executive branch, the European Commission, has drafted new proposals for sanctions, which could include a phased-in embargo on Russian oil. The 27 member countries are likely to start discussing them Wednesday, but it could be several days before the measures take effect.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell tweeted that the commission wants to hit more banks, target those accused of spreading disinformation about the war, and “tackle oil imports.” It’s not clear whether Slovakia and Hungary would receive exemptions.

Slovak Economy Minister Richard Sulik said the country's sole refiner, Slovnaft, cannot immediately switch from Russian crude to another kind of oil. Changing the technology would take several years, Sulik said.