ISTANBUL
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Friday said that Hungary has stopped gasoline and diesel deliveries linked to Ukraine and warned that further measures could follow as tensions escalate over oil supplies.
Speaking on Kossuth Radio, Orban said Budapest would maintain pressure until oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline are restored, Hungarian daily Magyar Nemzet reported.
“We won't give in until order is restored. We have stopped the delivery of gasoline and diesel, and we will stop other things that are important to them if necessary,” he said.
Orban accused Ukraine of blocking the transit of Russian crude oil to Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline, describing the interruption as a political decision.
“The Druzhba oil pipeline has no technical problems that would prevent the oil from reaching us,” he said.
He said Ukraine has obligations under international agreements to allow oil transit and warned that Hungary will use all available tools to defend its interests.
“If they are blackmailing Hungarians, they cannot expect us to make financial decisions in support of Ukraine,” Orban said.
Hungary has also threatened to block a €90 billion ($104 EU billion) financial package for Ukraine until oil deliveries are restored.
Budapest relies heavily on Russian crude transported via the Druzhba pipeline through Ukrainian territory. Orban said the dispute is contributing to rising fuel prices in Hungary, warning that the government could intervene in the market if energy costs become unsustainable.