Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán has issued an open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of interfering with Hungary’s energy security and supply.
In the letter dated February 26, Viktor stated that Zelenskyy has been unable to accept the sovereignty of the Hungarian government.
He added that Zelenskyy has disregarded not only the Hungarian government but also the people regarding the Russia–Ukraine war.
“For four years, you have been working to force Hungary into the war between your country and Russia,” part of the letter read.
According to Viktor, during the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine has been receiving support from Brussels and secured backing from the Hungarian opposition.
Viktor accused Zelenskyy of coordinating with the Hungarian opposition and Brussels to bring a pro-Ukraine government to power in Hungary.
In his open letter, Obran stated that Zelenskyy had blocked the Friendship oil pipeline, which serves a critical role in Hungary’s energy supply.
Zelenskyy’s action is said to have been against Hungary’s interests and endangered the securing of an affordable energy supply of Hungarian families.
Viktor Obran continued to warn Zelenskyy and called on him to make changes in his anti -Hungarian policy.
“We, the Hungarian people, are not responsible for the situation in which Ukraine finds itself. We sympathize with the Ukrainian people, but we do not wish to participate in the war,” the letter read.
The prime minister asserted that Hungary, not being responsible for the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, does not wish to participate in the war.
In addition, he emphasized that despite sympathizing with Ukraine, Hungary will not finance the war and does not wish to pay extra to acquire energy.
Obran urged Zelenskyy to immediately reopen the Friendship oil pipeline and refrain from making any further attacks on Hungary`s energy security.
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Reactions from the Open Letter to Zelenskyy
The Hungarian PM’s letter has raised a reaction from people, with some supporting the Hungarian PM and others supporting Zelenskyy.
“Dear Orban, respect must be earned. Supporting Russia, which invaded your peaceful neighbor, does not earn trust points,” Olavi Laitala commented, stating that Hungary has picked a side in the Russia-Ukraine war.
“How much longer will Kyiv use pipelines as a tool for blackmail against those who don’t comply? Zelenskyy must learn that respect is not earned through pressure, but through diplomacy?” Molitva Duse questioned on the integrity and the moves made by Zelenskyy.
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Ukraine to Repair Druzhba pipeline
The Druzhba pipeline, or the Friendship oil pipeline,e is a vital supply route for Hungary and Slovakia, the only EU countries still importing Russian crude through the system.
EU Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said on February 20 that the disruption of the Druzhba pipeline has strained Ukraine’s relations with Hungary and Slovakia.
The European Commission expressed support for the pipeline’s reactivation, noting that the Ukrainian government has committed to repairing it.
However, the Commission stated that the decision on whether and when to repair the pipeline rests solely with Kyiv, given ongoing security risks from Russian attacks.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that by blocking oil transit to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline, Ukraine violated the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
Ukraine’s actions breached its commitments to the European Union.
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