BUDAPEST, February 20. /TASS/. The government of Hungary has decided to block the European Union’s 90-billion-euro aid package for Ukraine because of Kiev's move to stop Russian oil flows via the Druzhba pipeline, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said.
"We have made the decision to block the 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine until Ukraine resumes oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline," he said in a video address, aired by M1 television. "As long as oil deliveries to Hungary remain blocked, Ukraine will not be getting the military loan of 90 billion euro."
Szijjarto went on to say that by blocking oil deliveries via Druzhba, Ukraine is violating its association agreement with the EU. He warned that as long as Kiev continues to do this, Hungary will keep blocking EU decisions that are important for Ukraine.
The minister accused Kiev of colluding with Brussels and the Hungarian opposition with the goal of blackmailing the government of Hungary. In his opinion, Kiev is deliberately creating difficulties for Hungary, sending gas prices spiking on the eve of parliamentary elections.
"We will not yield to this blackmail. We will not support the conflict in Ukraine, will not pay Ukrainians to continue the conflict, will not allow Hungarian taxpayer money to go to Ukraine and will not allow gasoline prices in Hungary to grow," Szijjarto said.
According to Hungarian data, oil has not flowed through the Druzhba pipeline since January 27. On February 15, Hungary and Slovakia asked Croatia to allow the transit of Russian crude oil through the Adriatic Pipeline. It is expected that it will be delivered to the Croatian port of Omisalj by sea. Budapest believes this can be done in full compliance with EU regulations.