Hungary Blocks E.U. Loan Plan for Ukraine Over Druzhba Pipeline

Hungary raised an objection at a meeting of ambassadors on Friday, delaying the European Union’s plan to loan €90 billion to Ukraine. The proposal would fund the loan by issuing debt backed by the E.U. budget, and the hold-up could complicate efforts to get money to Kyiv.

Peter Szijjarto, Hungary’s minister of foreign affairs and trade, confirmed the opposition on social media: “We are blocking the €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine until oil transit to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline resumes.” The Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Ukraine and supplies Russian crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia, is undergoing disruptions after what Ukraine says was a Russian attack; Hungary and Slovakia have accused Ukraine of deliberately restricting oil supplies.

Szijjarto added, “Ukraine is blackmailing Hungary by halting oil transit in coordination with Brussels. We will not give in to this blackmail.” The E.U.

Hungary

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