Hungary's Stance on Ukraine Aid#
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that he will not support a €90 billion ($103 billion) aid package for Ukraine until oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline are restored. This statement was made ahead of a European Union leaders summit in Brussels.
The Druzhba Pipeline Issue#
Orban emphasized that Hungary is prepared to support Ukraine only when oil flows resume. He dismissed other considerations as irrelevant. The Druzhba pipeline, which transports oil from Russia to Europe, has been damaged multiple times, impacting Hungary's energy supply.
Vetoing Financial Support#
Hungary, along with Slovakia, has vetoed the release of loans that Ukraine urgently needs. The two countries are blocking this aid until Ukraine restores oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline, which was damaged in a Russian drone strike earlier this year.
Importance of Oil Supply#
Orban described the restoration of oil shipments as an existential issue for Hungary, a landlocked country that relies on these supplies. He stated that his position is not politically motivated but rather a matter of national necessity. The Druzhba pipeline has faced over 20 attacks since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine five years ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy recently indicated that the latest damage may require more time for repairs compared to previous incidents.