Hungary bolsters energy security amid Ukraine oil dispute VIDEO

Hungary is stepping up protection of its critical energy infrastructure amid escalating tensions with Ukraine, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has announced.

Orbán said Ukrainian actions, including an oil blockade, are intended to undermine Hungary’s energy security, Caliber.Az reports.

“We will not give in to blackmail,” he said on Facebook. “I have ordered increased protection of our critical energy infrastructure. The Ukrainian government is exerting pressure on the governments of Hungary and Slovakia through an oil blockade. They will not stop and are preparing further measures to disrupt Hungary’s energy system.”

The Prime Minister previously described the blockage of Russian oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline as a political manoeuvre aimed at destabilising the country.

Earlier, Hungary announced it would block a €90 billion EU emergency loan to Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of “blackmail” over a damaged section of the Druzhba pipeline that carries Russian oil to Hungary.

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó claimed Ukraine, Brussels, and Hungary’s opposition were coordinating to disrupt energy supplies ahead of the April 12 general election, in which Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is trailing in polls.

By Aghakazim Guliyev