Hungarian FM: No EU money for Kyiv until Druzhba oil flows resume

Hungary has signalled it will block further European Union financial support for Ukraine unless oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline are restored, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said.

Speaking at a campaign event in Veszprém, Szijjártó stated that Kyiv had requested an additional €5.5 billion from EU member states to prepare for the upcoming winter period, citing information relayed by Hungary’s ambassador in Ukraine following a meeting between Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko and EU diplomats.

“The big game continues. Ukrainians are asking for another €5.5 billion, but they still have not resumed oil supplies. We demand that they do so. Hungary cannot be deceived, Hungary cannot be blackmailed, and as long as the oil blockade continues, not a single decision important for Ukrainians regarding funding will be adopted in Brussels,” he said, according to MTI.

Szijjártó also criticised the conduct of the meeting in Kyiv, claiming that while other diplomats were allowed to ask questions, Hungary’s representative was initially denied the opportunity. When he was eventually given the floor, Svyrydenko reportedly checked her phone, announced a call from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and left the meeting.

The Hungarian minister argued that the Ukrainian prime minister avoided answering questions about the resumption of oil transit, adding that “the performance continues.”

By Tamilla Hasanova