"I will never support any kind of decision here which is in favor of Ukraine. The Hungarian position is very simple. We are ready to support Ukraine when we get our oil, which is blocked by them."
"Hungary and Slovakia were granted special dispensation from EU sanctions on Russian oil deliveries imposed after the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This was on the basis that the landlocked countries, both led by politicians still maintaining comparatively warm ties to Moscow, were particularly dependent on the Russian exports."
"This is being rejected for incomprehensible reasons. I will not vote for the conclusions on Ukraine."
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico are blocking EU financial assistance and statements supporting Ukraine, demanding the resumption of Russian oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline. The pipeline ceased operations in January after Ukraine reported Russian attacks caused damage. Hungary and Slovakia, both landlocked nations with historical ties to Moscow, received EU exemptions from Russian oil sanctions following the 2022 invasion. Orban describes the oil supply as existential for Hungary and refuses to support any pro-Ukraine decisions until oil imports resume. Fico similarly withdrew support for an EU summit statement on Ukraine because it excluded the pipeline issue.
#eu-ukraine-relations #russian-oil-sanctions #hungary-slovakia-diplomacy #druzhba-pipeline #eu-political-divisions
Read at www.dw.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]