Zerkal: Ukraine could influence Hungary with the help of Druzhba oil pipeline

European Pravda — THURSDAY, 26 MAY 2022, 13:28

Adviser to the Minister of Energy of Ukraine and former Deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal believes that the Druzhba oil pipeline could become an instrument of Ukraine's influence on Hungary.

She said this during an online discussion of the Kyiv Security Forum, European Pravda reports.

"Ukraine has a wonderful lever in its hands – the Druzhba oil pipeline," said the minister's adviser.

She emphasised that a separate line of the Druzhba oil pipeline goes to Hungary, and "something could happen" to it.

"And, in my opinion, it would be very appropriate if something happened to it.  But, again, it is up to the government and the President to decide political issues, whether we really want to speak with Orban in the language he understands and which he imposes on the European Union, or if we are not ready for it yet," Olena Zerkal said.

Due to Hungary's position, the process of approving the EU oil embargo on Russia has stalled.

However, the EU hopes to be able to agree on sanctions against Russian oil before the European Council meeting that will take place next week.

EU foreign ministers were unable to unblock the issue of oil sanctions against Russia at a meeting in Brussels on 16 May due to Hungarian opposition.

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó said Hungary had not received any serious new proposals for oil sanctions against Russia since the European Commission president's visit to Budapest in early May.