Hungary has blocked a €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine and vowed to maintain its veto until Kyiv restores Russian oil transit to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline.
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that Budapest will not support the approval of what he described as a “war loan” while Ukraine continues to restrict deliveries through the Soviet-era pipeline.
He accused Kyiv of using the dispute as political blackmail, arguing that halting transit is designed to create supply disruptions in Hungary and drive up domestic fuel prices. According to Szijjártó, the move threatens Hungary’s energy security and risks pushing petrol prices sharply higher.
“If Ukraine blocks Druzhba, we will block decisions that are friendly to Ukraine,” he said, making clear that the loan will remain frozen until oil flows resume.
The Hungarian government argues that suspending transit violates existing contracts and EU legal obligations governing energy flows within the bloc. Officials in Budapest say the measure is politically motivated and aimed at exerting economic pressure on Hungary.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Ukraine’s actions risk destabilising Hungary ahead of April’s parliamentary elections, suggesting the disruption could benefit a pro-Ukraine opposition government.
The €90 billion package requires unanimous approval from all member states because it amends EU budget rules to allow joint borrowing for a non-EU country. Hungary’s opposition therefore prevents its final adoption, despite broad backing elsewhere in the bloc.
The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, has scheduled an extraordinary meeting next week to address the escalating energy dispute.
Budapest has made clear it will not separate energy security from financial support for Kyiv. Until oil transit through Druzhba is fully restored, Hungarian officials say, the veto will stand.
