Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he had appealed to the European Commission over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's position on the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline.
He wrote about this in H.
“President Zelensky gave an unacceptable response. Therefore, today I called on the President of the European Commission to ensure the implementation of agreements that oblige Ukraine to allow oil transit through the Druzhba oil pipeline. Until President Zelensky returns to his senses and normal life, we will not support any decision that is beneficial to Ukraine,” Orban said.
In a published video, the Hungarian Prime Minister called Zelensky's words cynical and impudent, stating that the leaders of Hungary and Slovakia do not want to admit what this transit and repair of the oil pipeline costs Ukraine.
“Zelensky expects Hungary to be grateful to Ukraine, while the pipeline supplying oil to Hungary is closed,” he said.
In the video, Orban was shown signing a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in which he called for the implementation of agreements that oblige Ukraine to provide transit.
On March 2, Viktor Orban released a video clip in which he stated that he had received a detailed report on the attack on the Druzhba oil pipeline and the condition of the pipeline, “based on satellite images and operational information available to us.” According to Orban, “the attack did not directly affect the pipeline, so there are no technical obstacles to its restart.”
Zelenskyy commented on Orban's statement regarding the status of the Druzhba oil pipeline.
“You can see the technical tanks from the satellite. One large tank is ruptured there. You can't see the remote control from the satellite, and further underground there is a pipe. Maybe Orban is a magician and sees what is happening with the pipe underground? I am surprised, but anything happens,” he said.
The President noted that after the first Russian strike on this oil pipeline, Ukraine restored it, but neither Hungary nor Slovakia called on Moscow not to strike Druzhba, instead there were demands made to Kyiv.
He noted that during the restoration work, there was another “combat situation” and people were injured.
“Has anyone heard from Orban or Fico: 'We are very grateful to Ukraine,' or 'we feel very sorry for the family, relatives, loved ones who suffered'? Not a word, except that we owe them again. I said: 'What is this price?' And to the European leaders: 'What is the price? People should die? What do you want? Should they be injured? And you will continue to block everything from Ukraine,'” Zelensky said.