The European Union (EU) rebuffed concerns from Hungary and Slovakia over a decision by Ukraine to sanction a major Russian oil company and rejected for now their request for urgent consultations over the security of crude supplies.

Meanwhile, Ukraine PM Denys Shmyhal said that his country will uphold the sanctions after discussion with Slovak counterpart Robert Fico.

Shmyhal emphasized that Kyiv insists on its partners’ maximum rejection of Russian oil but remains a reliable transit partner “for all countries that value freedom and the rule of law” and “unequivocally fulfills the Association Agreement with the EU.”