Hungary's incoming PM urges Zelenskyy to resume oil transit via Druzhba pipeline
Hungary's incoming Prime Minister Péter Magyar has said he expects that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will resume the transit of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline if it is technically operational, stressing that Budapest will not agree to any concessions on the issue.
Source: European Pravda, citing Telex, a Hungarian news portal
Details: Speaking with the press, Magyar, the leader of the Tisza party, called on Zelenskyy to "fulfil his promise" and restore the operation of the Druzhba pipeline. Hungary's incoming prime minister said 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 this path. This will not be accepted not only in Hungary but also in Europe; European leaders will also not accept attempts to revise already agreed matters and to blackmail European leaders," Magyar said.
He compared Zelenskyy's behaviour to demanding conduct at a dinner.
"It is 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.
- The Hungarian leader reiterated his position that he would only unblock the loan after Russian oil supplies via Druzhba are 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.
- Hungary's Magyar indicated that he will not block the €90bn EU loan for Ukraine, as the decision has already been made, although he confirmed that Budapest will not participate in it.
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