Hungary holds firm on Druzhba pipeline, blocks Brussels’ funds to Ukraine

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has reaffirmed that the European Union’s latest proposals concerning the Druzhba oil pipeline will not change Hungary’s position, signaling that Ukraine will not receive funds from Brussels.

“I have already said that Hungary’s position is unchanged. If Zelenskyy wants to receive money from Brussels, he must unblock the Druzhba pipeline,” Orban stated, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

The comments come after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa pledged EU financial, technical, and expert support for the repair of the pipeline. In a letter to the European Commission, Ukraine’s president indicated that the pumping station would be restored within one and a half months “provided there are no further attacks from Russia.”

By Vafa Guliyeva