How did the European Commission react to Zelensky's words?
What did Volodymyr Zelensky's message to Orban contain?
What action is the European Commission taking in response to the conflict?
Why did Hungary block the loan to Ukraine?
European Commission spokesman Olof Gill emphasized the Commission's firmness in this matter. — There can be no threats against an EU member state, he said. He added that the current situation is characterized by a lot of incendiary and escalating rhetoric on both sides, which is not conducive to achieving common goals.
The EC in contact with Kiev and Budapest
The Commission is conducting active talks with both sides of the conflict. — Our task is to calm all parties to achieve the goals mentioned above, i.e. putting pressure on Russia to end its aggression in Ukraine, providing a loan to Kiev and ensuring energy security for member states, Gill said.
The dispute between Ukraine and Hungary escalated in late January when Russian attacks damaged the Druzhba oil pipeline. The transit of Russian crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia has been suspended. Kyiv expressed its readiness to repair the pipeline, but reserved the possibility of its repeated destruction by Russia.
Orban blocks the loan and sanctions
Budapest concluded that Ukraine deliberately suspended deliveries of Russian oil. As a result, Orban decided to block an EU loan of EUR 90 billion for Ukraine for 2026 and 2027. Hungary also blocked the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, which was to be ready on February 24, on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Gill admitted that the EC is considering various options to support Ukraine to accelerate the resumption of oil supplies. Brussels is, among other things, analyzing the provision of possible financial support, although the spokesman did not provide details of these plans. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also expressed his willingness to meet the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The Druzhba pipeline also supplied his country with oil. However, the date of the meeting has not been set yet.
