Hungary to block $106B EU loan for Ukraine until Druzhba oil transit resumes

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said Friday that Hungary will block the €90 billion ($106 billion) EU loan recently announced by the European Parliament for Ukraine until oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline resumes.

"We are blocking the €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine until oil transit to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline resumes," Szijjarto announced on US social media platform X.

He alleged that Ukraine was blackmailing Hungary by suspending oil transit “in coordination with Brussels and the Hungarian opposition,” to disrupt supplies and drive up fuel prices ahead of elections.

"By blocking oil transit to Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline, Ukraine violates the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, breaching its commitments to the European Union. We will not give in to this blackmail," added Szijjarto.