Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared there will be no strategic fuel reserve on the Hungarian-Ukrainian border, criticizing MOL for signing a memorandum with Naftogaz without government approval. The Hungarian state holds a 25% stake in MOL.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared "there will be no fuel reserve on the Hungarian-Ukrainian border or anywhere else," rejecting a memorandum signed the previous day between Hungarian energy group MOL and Ukraine's state-owned Naftogaz that envisioned the creation of a strategic fuel reserve for Ukraine.
Orbán criticized MOL Chief Executive Zsolt Hernádi for not informing the government about the project before signing. The Hungarian state holds a 25% stake in MOL, giving it a significant say in the company's strategic direction.
MOL characterized the agreement with Naftogaz as "preparatory," stating it covered only the exploration of potential energy cooperation possibilities. The company said it did not deem government involvement necessary at this stage.
The memorandum outlined plans to study the creation of a strategic fuel reserve for Ukraine. Orbán's public rejection highlights the political sensitivity of cross-border energy infrastructure projects between Hungary and Ukraine.
https://t.me/smolii_ukraine/164246