Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that Hungary will stop gas supplies to Ukraine until oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline are restored.
“As long as Ukraine does not supply it with oil, it will not receive gas from Hungary. We will protect energy security, maintain the regulated price of gasoline and the reduced gas tariff for the population,” Orban wrote on social networks, posting a video of the statement.
He said in his speech that this was his “last proposal”, as Ukraine had blocked the operation of the Druzhba oil pipeline for 30 days. He added that Hungary will gradually stop gas supplies and send the released quantities to its storage facilities.
Over the past weeks, Hungary has demanded that Ukraine repair the part of the Druzhba pipeline located on its territory, through which Budapest receives Russian oil. In particular, under this pretext, Hungary prevents the allocation of a European loan to Kiev worth $90 billion, accusing Ukraine of deliberately suspending oil supplies.
In mid-February, Hungary announced the cessation of diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine, also due to the suspension of supplies via Druzhba. The same decision was taken by Slovakia, which also receives Russian oil. Meanwhile, Hungary threatened to stop exporting electricity and natural gas.