The Hungarian government has refused to vote in favor of the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, threatening to exercise its veto power unless oil transit through Ukraine is restored.
Gergely Gulyas, the head of the Prime Minister's Office, announced the primary condition for lifting the veto. Hungary is demanding the immediate unblocking of the Druzhba pipeline. The local leadership intends to use its voting rights within the EU as its main lever of pressure against Kyiv.
Ukrainian diplomats have already responded to the situation. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that the transit infrastructure was damaged specifically by Russian strikes, a fact Budapest has chosen to ignore. The Foreign Minister characterized such demands as a policy of double standards and suggested that any grievances be addressed directly to the Russian leadership.
As a constructive solution to the problem, Kyiv has proposed that European countries utilize the Odesa-Brody route for the delivery of alternative fuel supplies.