Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has attributed the recent increase in oil prices in Hungary to Ukraine, while also announcing his intention to request the European Commission to lift sanctions imposed on Russian energy supplies.
Orbán highlighted that the surge in fuel prices is not solely a result of conflicts in the Middle East but also due to the “blockade” of Russian oil supplies through Ukraine via the Druzhba pipeline. He stated that the cessation of oil transit from Russia poses a threat not only to Hungary but to the entire European Union.
In response to these developments, Orbán convened an extraordinary government meeting to discuss the energy situation. He initiated a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging the suspension of certain sanctions against Russia.
“Across Europe, we must review and suspend all sanctions imposed on Russian energy supplies. I initiated this in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen,” Orbán remarked.
On March 6, Orbán announced that Hungary would block a European loan of €90 billion for Ukraine until the transit through the Druzhba pipeline is restored. The Hungarian Minister of Energy indicated that legal actions would be pursued if transit does not resume within three days.
Recently, the National Bank of Ukraine reported that Hungarian authorities had detained Ukrainian cash transporters along with a significant sum of currency, totaling $40 million, €35 million, and 9 kg of bank gold. Seven Ukrainian cash transporters returned to Ukraine on the evening of March 6, while the seized funds remain in Hungary.
This incident has further strained relations between Ukraine and Hungary, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has linked rising oil prices to Ukraine and is seeking to lift sanctions on Russian energy. The situation has escalated tensions between Hungary and Ukraine, particularly following the detention of Ukrainian cash transporters.