Alongside this, draft resolution No. 12381, titled "On an appeal to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine regarding the adoption of urgent measures to terminate the transit of Russian oil through the territory of Ukraine in the interests of protecting Ukraine's national security," has also been submitted.
Details of Draft Law No. 12380
Draft law No. 12380 aims to prohibit the transit of Russian oil and gas through Ukraine amid the ongoing martial law. The text of the draft law is currently unavailable, and it has not yet been reviewed by the relevant parliamentary committee.
Current Transit Agreements
Ukraine currently facilitates the transportation of Russian oil through the Druzhba oil pipeline to the European Union, with existing contracts valid until the end of 2029. However, on January 1, Ukraine halted the transit of Russian natural gas through its territory as a measure to safeguard national security.
Hungary's Position
In contrast to Ukraine's stance, Hungary is engaged in negotiations with both Russia and Ukraine to maintain open gas supplies via Ukrainian territory. Despite the shift of Russian gas imports to the TurkStream pipeline, Hungary argues that Ukraine's decision not to extend the transit agreement beyond 2025 has negatively impacted consumer prices.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's Response
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry responded by asserting that the majority of EU countries have already adapted to the new transit arrangements. They noted that only a few nations, including Hungary, have yet to align with the updated policies.
Implications for National Security
The introduction of draft law No. 12380 underscores Ukraine's commitment to enhancing its national security by reducing dependency on Russian energy resources. By terminating the transit of Russian oil and gas, Ukraine aims to further distance itself from Russian influence and mitigate potential security risks associated with energy dependency.
Next Steps
The registered draft laws will undergo further discussions and evaluations within the Verkhovna Rada. Stakeholders, including government officials, industry experts, and the public, are expected to participate in the legislative process to shape the final provisions of the law.
