In a video posted on social media February 20, night, International Minister Péter Szijjártó accused Ukraine of “blackmailing” Hungary by failing to restart oil shipments. File
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Hungary will block a deliberate 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) European Union mortgage to Ukraine till the circulation of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline resumes, Hungary’s International Minister stated.
Russian oil shipments to Hungary and Slovakia have been interrupted since January 27, after Ukrainian officers stated a Russian drone assault broken the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian crude throughout Ukrainian territory and into Central Europe.
Hungary and Slovakia, which have each obtained a short lived exemption from an E.U. coverage prohibiting imports of Russian oil, have accused Ukraine — with out offering proof — of intentionally holding up provides.
In a video posted on social media Friday (February 20, 2026) night, International Minister Péter Szijjártó accused Ukraine of “blackmailing” Hungary by failing to restart oil shipments.
He stated his authorities would block an enormous interest-free mortgage the E.U. permitted in December to assist Kyiv to satisfy its army and financial wants for the subsequent two years.
“We is not going to give in to this blackmail. We don’t help Ukraine’s battle, we is not going to pay for it,” Mr. Szijjártó stated. “So long as Ukraine blocks the resumption of oil provides to Hungary, Hungary will block European Union choices which can be essential and beneficial for Ukraine.” Hungary’s determination to dam the important thing funding for Ukraine got here two days after it suspended shipments of diesel to its embattled neighbour till oil flows via the Druzhba had been resumed, and solely days earlier than the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Practically each nation in Europe has considerably lowered or totally ceased Russian power imports since Moscow launched its battle in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. But Hungary — an E.U. and NATO member — has maintained and even elevated its provide of Russian oil and gasoline.
Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has lengthy argued that Russian fossil fuels are indispensable for its financial system and that switching to power sourced from elsewhere would trigger a right away financial collapse — an argument some consultants dispute.
Broadly seen because the Kremlin’s greatest advocate within the E.U., Orbán has vigorously opposed the bloc’s efforts to sanction Moscow over its invasion and blasted makes an attempt to hit Russia’s power revenues that assist finance the battle. His authorities has often threatened to veto E.U. efforts to help Ukraine.
Not all the E.U.’s 27 nations agreed to participate within the 90-billion-euro mortgage package deal for Ukraine. Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic opposed the plan, however a deal was reached during which they didn’t block the mortgage and had been promised safety from any monetary fallout.
Revealed – February 21, 2026 06:47 pm IST