Hungary has obtained new reliable information based on satellite images which, according to the government, confirms that the Druzhba pipeline is fully operational. Ukraine is blocking Russian oil supplies solely for political reasons, according to Hungarian Foreign and Trade Minister Peter Szijjártó. The minister said this after a meeting of the Hungarian Security Council.
„In view of the current extremely unfavourable international situation, at the Council meeting we analysed satellite images of a part of the Druzhba pipeline, which is crucial for Hungary's supply. These images show that President Zelensky is lying. They clearly show that there are no technical or engineering reasons for blocking the Druzhba pipeline,“ the foreign minister said in a video interview broadcast by the M1 television channel.
The meeting was called by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in response to the halt in the transit of Russian oil through Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, which Budapest says is increasing the risk of energy shortages on world markets.
Szijjártó also warned that oil supplies from the Gulf region have become uncertain due to developments around Iran and the possibility of closing the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. „Blocking a well-functioning onshore pipeline in these circumstances is an act of aggression against Hungary,“ he said.
Russian oil has not been transported to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline since 27 January. The Hungarian government has previously said that the technical problems have been fixed and that Kiev is blocking transit only for political reasons.
In response, Budapest has taken countermeasures - stopping oil deliveries to Ukraine and refusing to approve a so-called EU military loan to Kiev worth 90 billion euros. Hungary also warned that it would block further decisions by Brussels in favour of Ukraine.
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