EU Commission suggests reconnaissance mission to settle pipeline dispute between Ukraine and Hungary as tensions escalate.
EU Proposes Reconnaissance Mission
EU Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen announced the proposal for a reconnaissance mission on Thursday (March 12). She also informed journalists that Ukraine has not yet responded to this proposal.
Dispute Over “Druzhba” Oil Pipeline
Hungary’s Viktor Orbán government demands resumption of oil transit to Hungary via the “Druzhba” pipeline. Ukrainians say the pipeline is being repaired after a Russian attack. However, Hungarians claim Ukrainian delays are deliberate.
Hungary has decided to suspend diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine, and together with Slovakia, they want to block a €90 billion EU loan package to support Kyiv until the “Druzhba” pipeline transit resumes. The pipeline has been out of operation since early January.
Hungarian Mission Rejected by Ukraine
Hungary announced at the beginning of this week that they had sent a mission to assess the extent of damage to the pipeline. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tikhii described the members of the Hungarian mission as “tourists” and stated that Ukrainian authorities will deny them access to the pipeline.
Arrest of Ukrainian Transport in Hungary
On March 5, two Ukrainian armored vehicles with their cargo were detained in Hungary. The vehicles were transporting a total of $40 million, 35 million euros, and 9 kilograms of gold from Austria to Ukraine. The Hungarians also detained seven Ukrainian citizens, including a former Ukrainian intelligence general. On March 6, the Ukrainians were released, but Ukrainian authorities still demand from Hungary the return of the money and gold.
Hungarian services initiated proceedings in connection with suspected money laundering. According to Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó, the case may involve “ties to the Ukrainian war mafia.” Ukrainian authorities reject these accusations.
