Summary
Hungary's foreign minister stated that Hungary will block a major European Union loan to Ukraine until Russian oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline resume. Russian oil supply disruptions have occurred since a reported drone attack damaged the pipeline. Hungary accuses Ukraine of intentionally delaying the oil flow and links this to blocking EU decisions favorable to Ukraine.
Key Facts
- Hungary plans to block a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine.
- Russian oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline have stopped since January 27 due to a reported attack.
- Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of deliberately blocking oil supplies but provide no evidence.
- Hungary's foreign minister calls Ukraine's actions "blackmail."
- Hungary has stopped diesel shipments to Ukraine over the issue.
- Slovakia also threatens to cut electricity supplies to Ukraine if the issue isn't resolved.
- Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán supports maintaining Russian oil imports.
- The EU loan was intended to help Ukraine with military and economic needs.
