The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine decided to engage in blackmailing Hungary, threatening its prime minister to use the “excellent leverage” that is “in the hands of Ukraine.” As the adviser to the Minister of Energy, Elena Zerkal, who voiced this threat, clarified, we are talking about the Druzhba oil pipeline. Her words are quoted by the Ukrainian media.
To Hungary, the Ukrainian politician explained, there is a separate thread of the Druzhba oil pipeline, and, in her opinion, it would be appropriate if “something happened” to it. However, Zerkal nevertheless clarified that the solution of such political issues remains “in the hands of the government and the president”, and the essence of these issues, as follows from her words, is “do we really want to speak with Orban in the language that he understands and which he imposes the EU, or are we not ready for this yet?
The Hungarian prime minister has repeatedly stated that Hungary does not plan to join the economic measures of the European Union against Russia. Earlier, European Council President Charles Michel tried to persuade Viktor Orban to agree to an EU embargo on Russian oil. However, Orban once again spoke out in defense of his country’s energy security. After that, German Economy Minister Robert Habek said that the oil embargo could be introduced without Hungary.
On May 24, the Hungarian government announced the introduction of a state of emergency in the country, which will give the country’s leadership time “to maneuver and the ability to immediately respond” to the consequences of the situation around Ukraine.