Olena Zerkal: Ukraine has a powerful lever of influence on Hungary – Druzhba pipeline

What happened? Hungary took advantage of russia's war against Ukraine by blackmailing the European Union, but Ukraine has something to answer.

Source. That was stated by the adviser to the Minister of Energy of Ukraine Olena Zerkal during the online discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum.

Quote. “As for Hungary, Hungary has taken advantage of the situation, and in fact we and the European Union have given it such an opportunity. And they have decided, it was their prime time to demand anything, so as not to destroy European unity,” Zerkal said.

Zerkal stated that the appetite of Hungry for European Union funds was growing daily.

“In fact the European Commission had to change its policy, having allowed investments, usage of European funds even for the construction of a new pipeline, and the re-equipment of refineries,” she said.

“But that's not all. Of course, they are still receiving all the funds that were frozen under other programs. And it's really sad, because Ukraine has a wonderful lever in its hands – which is the Druzhba pipeline,” the Minister's Adviser added.

She stressed that a separate line of the Druzhba oil pipeline is going to Hungary, and “something may happen” with it.

“And, in my opinion, it would be very appropriate if something happened to it (oil pipeline). But then again, it is in the hands of the government and the president to decide politically whether we really want to speak to Orban in the language he understands and which he imposes on the European Union, or whether we are not ready for that yet,” Zerkal emphasized.