Hungary's incoming PM urges Zelenskyy to resume oil transit via Druzhba pipeline

Hungary's incoming prime minister, Péter Magyar, has said he expects Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to restore the flow of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline if it is technically operational, stressing that Budapest will not agree to any concessions on this issue.

Source: European Pravda, citing Telex, a Hungarian news portal

Details: Speaking with the press, the Tisza party leader urged Zelenskyy to "keep his promise" and ensure that the Druzhba pipeline resumes operations. According to Magyar, this could happen in the coming days.

In his remarks, Magyar also warned Zelenskyy against "blackmailing" Hungary over the unblocking of the pipeline.

"We will not make any concessions, and I would not advise – again, we do not know each other – but I would not advise the Ukrainian president to go down that route. That will not be accepted in Hungary, or in Europe either. Nor will European leaders accept attempts to revise matters that have already been agreed and to blackmail European leaders," Magyar said.

He compared Zelenskyy's behaviour to that of a demanding dinner guest.

"It's as if someone went to a dinner they were invited to and then started blackmailing: if there is no lecsó, or if it is not cooked over medium heat, then I will do this and that. In my opinion, this is the wrong attitude, and I would not advise acting like that," he added.

Background:

• On 19 April, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Ukraine is willing to resume oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline on Monday 20 April provided that Budapest unblocks the €90 billion EU loan.
• However, the Hungarian leader reiterated his position that he will only unblock the loan after the supply of Russian oil via Druzhba has been restored.
• According to European Pravda, EU ambassadors are expected to try to give final approval to the €90 billion loan for Ukraine on 22 April.
• Magyar has indicated that he will not block the loan for Ukraine, as the decision has already been made, although he confirmed that Budapest will not participate in it.

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