Kristersson Furious as Hungary Blocks Nearly 1 Trillion Kronor to Ukraine: 'Blackmail

On Thursday, EU leaders gathered in Brussels for this week’s summit. As so often before, the focus ended up on Ukraine, while issues such as competitiveness took a back seat. At the center was Hungary’s blockade of a comprehensive support package worth nearly 1 trillion kronor that the EU plans to loan to Ukraine, with the union’s taxpayers assuming the risk. For Hungary, the issue is clear: the country wants to resume deliveries via the Russian oil pipeline that passes through Ukraine but is reported to have been damaged in a Russian attack. However, Viktor Orbán accuses Volodymyr Zelenskyy of deliberately blocking the oil flow. Now, EU leadership in Brussels has offered to step in and repair the pipeline so that Russian oil can flow again—in exchange for Hungary approving the loan.

The proposed loan, worth 90 billion euros—corresponding to about 965 billion kronor—and guaranteed by EU taxpayers on top of all other ongoing support, is described as absolutely critical for Ukraine’s continued resistance against Russia in what is now the fifth year of war.

When the decision on the loan was made in December, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is critical of continued arms and monetary support to Ukraine, stated that he would not block the extensive loan—provided that Hungary itself would not have to participate.

Now, however, Orbán has changed his position. The background is that the oil Hungary purchases from Russia via the Druzhba pipeline, which transports oil through Ukraine, has been halted. Reports about why the pipeline is down differ: Ukraine explains the interruption with a Russian attack on the pipeline, while Hungary accuses Ukraine of deliberately blocking the oil to create problems for Orbán in the ongoing election campaign.

What is clear, however, is that the pipeline is crucial for both Hungary’s and Slovakia’s energy supply. Before the disruption, it accounted for about 86–92 percent of Hungary’s oil imports and almost all of Slovakia’s needs.

Hungary links its opposition to the nearly 1-trillion-kronor loan to the country’s energy supply and says the issue is existential. As long as oil deliveries are not resumed, Hungary will not give its support to the loan—and Orbán has clearly stated that he will not yield to the demand.

Several EU leaders reacted strongly to Hungary’s actions, arguing that the country is breaking previous agreements. During the meeting, particular criticism was raised by the President of the European Council, António Costa, who emphasized that the December decision is binding.

Despite the criticism, Orbán stood firm on his position and claimed that Hungary is acting within its rights.

When a joint statement on Ukraine was to be adopted, it was supported by 25 of the EU’s 27 member states. In addition to Hungary, Slovakia also chose to abstain, further highlighting divisions within the union on the issue.

Swedish Media Pressed Orbán

At the press conference, both Swedish public television and TV4 were at the front with their microphones. A journalist, likely representing Swedish media, pressed Orbán on why he doesn’t simply send the trillion kroner to Ukraine instead of complicating matters by demanding the oil Hungary has purchased.

– Hungary’s position is simple. We are ready to support Ukraine when we get our oil, which they are blocking. Until then, we support no decision that is beneficial for Ukraine, Orbán explained.

The Hungarian Prime Minister dismissed the media’s argument that there are alternative ways to get oil to Hungary and called the matter existential.

– This is not a political game. Zelenskyy must understand that without that oil, every household and business in Hungary will go bankrupt, said Orbán.

Kristersson: ‘He is blackmailing’

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) was also present, arguing that Russia itself had sabotaged the pipeline supplying Hungary with oil.

Sweden’s Prime Minister accused the Hungarian Prime Minister of engaging in blackmail. He also emphasized that Ukraine is “the most important” for Sweden.

– He is now blackmailing Ukraine and the entire European Council. My clear view is that he is doing this for domestic political reasons. I don’t think the EU should be a pawn in Hungarian domestic politics, said Kristersson about Orbán’s demands and continued:

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also stated that the support must continue.

– The most important thing for us is Ukraine, of course; both increasing pressure on Russia […] the second is to increase support, naturally, for Ukraine. The 90 billion is at stake here. It is unacceptable for Hungary to block decisions they once participated in making, Kristersson said.

– Nothing is more important than the money Ukraine desperately needs being delivered, the Prime Minister added.

EU to Repair the Pipeline

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participated in the EU meeting via link, despite Ukraine not being a member of the union. He expressed frustration over the situation where Hungary and Slovakia are blocking the payments of support.

– This is critical for us. It is a resource that protects lives, he said.

To unlock the nearly 1 trillion kronor in support for Ukraine, which is currently blocked by Hungary, the EU Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, has offered to assist with repairs to the oil pipeline supplying Hungary with Russian oil.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reportedly accepted the offer, and Ulf Kristersson announced that Sweden is prepared to contribute personnel for the repair.

– Not to support Russia, but to support Ukraine. If this issue is not resolved today, Ukraine will face serious problems, and I am afraid that is exactly what Hungary is aiming for, Kristersson underlined.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Photo: EU

SVT: It’s Not Possible to Exclude Hungary

The fact that Hungary can take a dissenting stance within the EU is a fundamental part of the democratic process. Despite this, publicly funded broadcaster SVT in its reporting on the conflict included an information box discussing the possibility of excluding Hungary—something that could also be interpreted as SVT implying that the country is defying the EU and that it is unacceptable.

“Hungary is now blocking EU support, but there are no provisions in the EU regulations to exclude a member,” state television informs.