Pipeline dispute between Ukraine and Hungary: EU Council President rebukes Selenskyj for an 'inappropriate' remark
Key Takeaways
- Hungary blocks multibillion-euro EU financial aid to Ukraine.
- Zelensky threatens Prime Minister Orbán over the aid blockade.
- António Costa admonishes Zelensky over his remark on Hungary's blockade.
EU reaction to blockade
EU Council President António Costa commented on Hungary's blockade of multibillion-euro EU financial aid to Ukraine, calling the stance of the Budapest government completely unacceptable and criticizing Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj for his threats against Hungary.
“Hungary blocks multibillion-euro EU financial aid to Ukraine”
He said that it is not acceptable when someone addresses a head of government of a EU member state in an inappropriate manner, even in an emotional moment.
Selenskyj threats, Budapest response
In the dispute over the funds blocked by Hungary, Selenskyj openly threatened the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
He warned that unless the 90 billion euros are not blocked and weapons reach Ukrainian fighters, 'otherwise we will pass the address of this person on to our guys so that they call him and talk to him in their language'.
The government in Budapest saw the statements as intimidation and coercion attempt.
Druzhba pipeline dispute
The Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán wants to end the blockade only when the dispute over interrupted Russian oil deliveries via the Druschba pipeline is settled.
“Hungary blocks multibillion-euro EU financial aid to Ukraine”
His government accuses Ukraine of preventing the resumption of the pipeline's operation.
It runs from Russia through Belarus and Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia.
Repair timeline and Naftogaz briefing
According to a letter from Selenskyj, Ukraine intends to repair the pipeline by early May.
He expects that the damaged pumping station within one and a half months will be functional, he writes to Brussels, which the EU Commission published on Tuesday.
The pipeline has been hit more than 20 times since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, now in its fifth year.
However, the severity of the latest damage means that restoration will require more time, Selenskyj said.
The Ukrainian state-owned energy company Naftogaz Group reiterated the complexity of the situation at a special meeting with EU ambassadors.
According to a Naftogaz statement, representatives from all European states attended the meeting, including Hungary and Slovakia.
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