Ukraine has a powerful lever of influence on Hungary – the Druzhba oil pipeline, – Zerkal./Channel 24 Collage
Hungary took advantage of the Russian war against Ukraine to blackmail the European Union. However, Ukraine also has leverage over its neighbor. And this is the Druzhba oil pipeline.
This was stated by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Advisor to the Minister of Energy of Ukraine Olena Zerkal at the online discussion of the Kyiv Security Forum.
Hungary successfully seized the moment
Hungary took advantage of the tense situation and began to literally blackmail the European Union. It's a pity, but, according to Elena Zerkal, both the EU and, in fact, Ukraine allowed her to do this. Western neighbor pretty much plunged into the funds of the European Union.
Their appetite for European Union funds is growing every day. And they decided that such a stellar time has come for them, when they can demand anything, so as not to destroy European unity, – Elena Zerkal noted.
It got to the point that the European Commission was forced to change its policy. They began to invest there, using European funds for the construction of a new oil pipeline, as well as for the refurbishment of oil refineries.
In addition, Hungary also receives all the funds frozen in other programs. Considering how this state blocks the oil embargo against Russia, Ukraine could use its leverage – the Druzhka oil pipeline. One of the “threads” of this “pipe” goes separately to Hungary. Something could happen to her, for example.
The Mirror thinks it would be appropriate. However, such decisions should be made by the government and the president.
“And, in my opinion, it would be very appropriate if something happened to him (oil pipeline – Channel 24). But, again, it is in the hands of the government and the president – to decide political issues, are we we want to speak with Orban in the language that he understands and which he imposes on the European Union, or we are not yet ready for this,” said Elena Zerkal.
Hungary and the oil embargo: what is happening
In May, the European Commission already prepared the 6th package of sanctions against Russia, which included an oil embargo, but Hungary began to put a spoke in the wheel.
Hungary is literally dependent on the Kremlin's oil and has done nothing for years to get rid of it. The country's government can only agree to an embargo if the EU pays Hungary 15-18 billion euros or the ban does not apply to pipeline oil.
However, the Hungarian oil giant MOL has already begun preparations for modernization, according to which its refineries will “work” only with lighter non-Russian oil. They explain that they are preparing for the worst-case scenario.
During the Ukrainian breakfast in Davos, President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Hungary's position. According to him, Russia earns about 200 billion dollars a year from oil, for which it can buy any weapon. Everyone agrees to an embargo, but something is wrong again in Hungary.
On May 24, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that an embargo on Russian oil could be adopted within a few weeks.
< h3> The MEP said he was waiting for Hungary because of the blocking of sanctions: watch the video
