2026-02-23 18:19
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2026-02-23 18:19
Ukraine presented a different version of the facts regarding the transit of oil to Hungary, wrote the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, in a letter sent on Monday to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, seen by PAP. He called on him to respect the decision taken by the European Council, as no state can question its credibility.
Costa responded in this way to the letter Orban sent to him on Friday. In this letter, the head of the Hungarian government announced that Hungary would not agree to granting a loan of EUR 90 billion to Ukraine.
EU heads of state and government, including Orban, agreed to grant such a loan at the summit in December 2025. Now, EU countries must unanimously agree to the EU taking out such a loan, although Hungary and Slovakia will be exempt from any obligations.
Costa emphasized that Ukraine presented a different version of events regarding the transit of oil to Hungary. – Tomorrow I will raise this issue in a conversation with President (Volodymyr) Zelensky – wrote Costa, who will visit Kiev on Tuesday in connection with the fourth anniversary of Russia unleashing a full-scale war against Ukraine.
The Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, was damaged as a result of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Hungary is demanding its repair and until then it wants to block both the loan to Ukraine (taking out the debt by the EU again requires the unanimous consent of all capitals) and the 20th package of sanctions on Russia.
The President of the European Council stated that “decisions taken by the European Council must be respected.” “When leaders reach an agreement, they are bound by it. Any violation of this commitment violates the principle of sincere cooperation. No member state can violate the credibility of decisions taken jointly by the European Council,” Costa stressed.
The President of the European Council and the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will commemorate the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale aggression on Tuesday during their visit to Kiev. EU leaders will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and take part in a meeting of the coalition of the willing, i.e. countries supporting Ukraine.
From Rzeszów Magdalena Cedro (PAP)
mce/ mal/
