Budapest will withhold aid to Kiev and Russia’s new sanctions until the Druzhba pipeline is restarted, Foreign Minister Peter Szijarto said.
Hungary will continue to oppose an EU bailout for Ukraine until Kiev resumes Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, Foreign Minister Peter Szczecorto said in Brussels on Monday.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban rejected a controversial €90 billion ($105 billion) EU emergency loan in February after Kiev cut off vital Russian oil supplies to both Hungary and Slovakia through a Soviet-built pipeline, alleging the pipeline was damaged by Russian strikes – a claim denied by Moscow.
Hungary and Slovakia have accused Kiev of making the cuts in a deliberate attempt to pressure them.
“We will not vote for the 20th sanctions package (against Russia) or the €90 billion military loan to Ukraine, and in the future we will not support decisions to give money or political benefits to Ukraine.” Szijjarto told journalists.
Szijjarto added that while Ukraine contradicted itself over claims of damage to the Druzhba pipeline, it was clear there were no technical reasons for stopping the oil supply. According to the minister, the Ukrainian operator initially told Hungarian energy company MOL it needed three days to restore flow, then asked for several more, repeatedly delaying the restart.
“Finally, the operator admitted that it is awaiting political approval to resume distribution.” Sizzarto said.
Relations between Budapest and Kiev further soured earlier this month when Hungarian authorities intercepted two Ukrainian armored trucks near Budapest, seizing tens of millions of dollars in cash and 9 kg of gold.
Hungarian authorities suggested the trucks could be linked to a Ukrainian-run money-laundering network. “War Mafia” Kiev was prompted to blame Budapest “Black Mail” And “State bandit.” Unconfirmed reports have linked the shipment to backroom deals between Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky and EU power brokers.
The arrest coincided with Zelensky issuing a thinly-veiled personal threat to Hungarian leader Orban.
Hungary has long clashed with Kiev, opposing Ukraine’s bids for EU and NATO membership, fearing it could draw the factions into direct conflict with Russia. Budapest was reluctant to bankroll Kiev’s war effort against Moscow.
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