Hungary will block a planned 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) European Union loan to Ukraine, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced Friday, citing the continued interruption of Russian oil shipments through Ukrainian territory.
Shipments via the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian crude to Hungary and Slovakia, have been halted since January 27, following Ukrainian claims that a Russian drone attack damaged the infrastructure. Hungary and Slovakia have both accused Ukraine of deliberately obstructing supplies, though no evidence has been presented to support these claims.
Szijjártó, in a video statement posted on social media, accused Ukraine of “blackmailing” Hungary and stated his government would not support financial assistance to Kyiv while oil flows remain disrupted. “We will not grant in to this blackmail. We do not support Ukraine’s war, we will not pay for it,” he said. “As long as Ukraine blocks the resumption of oil supplies to Hungary, Hungary will block European Union decisions that are important and favourable for Ukraine.”
The decision to block the EU loan comes after Hungary suspended its own diesel shipments to Ukraine earlier this week, also pending the resumption of oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline. This action occurs just days before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
While most European nations have significantly reduced or eliminated their reliance on Russian energy since the February 24, 2022 invasion, Hungary – a member of both the EU and NATO – has not only maintained but increased its imports of Russian oil and gas. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has consistently argued that Russian fossil fuels are essential for Hungary’s economy, and that transitioning to alternative sources would lead to economic collapse, a claim disputed by some analysts.
Orbán is widely regarded as the Kremlin’s strongest advocate within the EU, having consistently opposed sanctions against Moscow and criticized efforts to curtail Russia’s energy revenues. His government has repeatedly threatened to veto EU initiatives aimed at supporting Ukraine.
The 90-billion-euro loan package was approved by the EU in December to provide financial support to Ukraine over the next two years. While not all 27 EU member states initially supported the plan, a compromise was reached where Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic did not block the loan and were promised protection from any potential financial repercussions.