Hungary Denies Hatred Toward Ukraine, Points to Kiev’s Hostile Policies
His remarks came during a press exchange at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, where Hungary threatened to veto the European Union’s latest sanctions package against Russia.
When a journalist suggested that Hungary should direct its anger at Moscow, Szijjarto responded sharply: “We don’t hate Ukraine. The problem is that the Ukrainian state hates Hungary,” citing Kiev’s blocking of crude oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline and other actions that he says undermine Hungary’s energy security.
The core of the dispute centers on the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline, the primary route for Russian crude oil to Hungary and neighboring Slovakia, both landlocked and heavily reliant on it.
Another reporter claimed that Hungary’s Russian oil purchases effectively mean Budapest is “financing the war.” Szijjarto rejected the accusation, noting that these purchases represent only about 0.2% of Russia’s gross domestic product.
Later, Hungary followed through on its threat and vetoed the sanctions package. Szijjarto stated that the block would only be reconsidered if Ukraine restores oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline. Earlier actions included halting diesel supplies to Ukraine and threatening to cut electricity and natural gas.
When the oil flow stopped in late January, Ukraine attributed the disruption to a Russian airstrike. Moscow, however, insisted that Kiev was leveraging energy supplies to pressure the two EU nations, which have been critical of the bloc’s support for Ukraine.
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