Ukraine's PM explains why Ukraine can't stop Russian oil transit

Stopping the transit of oil through the Druzhba pipeline would violate Ukraine's commitments under the Energy Charter Treaty and the EU Association Agreement, Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated during a government Q&A session.

The transit of Russian oil through Ukraine also aligns with the EU's sixth sanctions package, which provides exemptions for Hungary and Slovakia, allowing them to purchase Russian-origin oil and transport it to their refineries via pipelines.

Shmyhal said that halting oil transit through Ukraine could lead to liability, particularly from Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, with potential financial claims.

"This would result in international arbitration, and the amount... it hasn't been calculated yet. The affected countries would file and estimate their claims, but these will undoubtedly involve significant penalties and substantial sums," the prime minister explained.