BRUSSELS — European Union leadership announced Tuesday their willingness to finance repairs on a crucial oil pipeline crossing Ukraine, hoping this gesture will convince Hungary to drop its opposition to a substantial aid package for the war-torn nation.
The conflict between Ukraine and Hungary has intensified since January, when Russian crude oil shipments to Hungary and Slovakia stopped flowing due to damage on the Druzhba pipeline running through Ukrainian land. Ukrainian authorities have pointed to Russian drone strikes as the cause of the pipeline damage.
Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s nationalist leader, has made accusations against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claiming he is intentionally disrupting oil deliveries — allegations Zelenskyy firmly rejects. As payback, Orbán has blocked a crucial 90-billion-euro ($106 billion) EU loan designed to support Ukraine’s defense and economic requirements over the next two years. Hungary has also prevented new EU penalties against Russia from moving forward.
In their Tuesday announcement, EU officials confirmed the bloc “has offered Ukraine technical support and funding” for pipeline restoration work.
“The Ukrainians have welcomed and accepted this offer. European experts are available immediately,” stated European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Zelenskyy strongly opposes permitting Russian energy to flow through Ukrainian territory, as energy profits have helped finance President Vladimir Putin’s four-year military campaign against his nation.
However, he indicated Tuesday that Ukraine is “undertaking all possible efforts to repair the damage and restore operations.”
Costa and von der Leyen contacted Zelenskyy on Monday, expressing their hope that the EU’s financial and technical assistance offer “can pave the way for overcoming the current blockage and ensure for the rapid repair of the pipeline.”
European leaders have criticized Orbán sharply for initially supporting the Ukrainian loan during December’s summit, only to withdraw his backing later.
They claim his actions violate the core EU principle of “sincere cooperation” among the 27 nations in the union.
Ukraine faces severe financial pressures, with Zelenskyy emphasizing the importance of securing at least an initial funding installment by next month.
Orbán, currently behind in polling before next month’s elections, has built his campaign around depicting Zelenskyy as a major threat to Hungary’s existence.
The Hungarian leader has claimed that Zelenskyy, working alongside von der Leyen, wants to pull Hungary into the conflict, arguing that only his reelection can guarantee Hungary’s continued peace and safety.
