Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated Hungary will block any EU decisions benefiting Ukraine until oil transit is restored.
Orbán Demands Oil for Ukraine Support
Hungary will not support any decisions favorable to Ukraine until it receives oil deliveries it claims are due to it, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Thursday before the European Council summit in Brussels.
Orbán indicated Hungary would unblock a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine if the oil pipeline is repaired.
Dispute Over ‘Friendship’ Pipeline
The loan was blocked by Budapest after Russian oil ceased flowing through the Druzhba pipeline following damage in a Russian attack on Ukraine in late January. Ukraine reports the pipeline is under repair.
Hungary and Slovakia, also recipients of the oil, accuse Kyiv of deliberately halting transit.
‘Existential’ Issue for Hungary
Orbán stated his country’s position is clear: “We will not make any decisions that benefit the Ukrainians until we get our oil.” He added that restoring oil transit would open a “new chapter” in relations between Kyiv and Budapest.
Orbán emphasized the lack of oil deliveries is a matter of survival for Hungary, stating that without it, Hungarian households and businesses would go bankrupt. He urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to understand this is not a “political game.”
Sanctions Question Unanswered
Orbán declined to answer whether Hungary would also unblock the 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia.