19:42
“He should not go down that street,” incoming Hungarian PM Péter Magyar said when asked about new potential Ukrainian demands to reopen the Druzhba pipeline. Brussels ready for Hungary to lift veto if oil flows resume.
Hungary’s newly elected prime minister Péter Magyar suggested a controversial pipeline carrying Russian oil through Ukraine should be resumed as Brussels sets the stage for Budapest to lift its veto over a crucial financial loan for Kyiv.
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Reacting to reports suggesting oil supplies could be reinstated imminently by Ukraine in exchange for a €90 billion loan, currently blocked by outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, or faster progress in accession talks, Magyar played down both.
“What I can say to the Ukrainian president — although we have not spoken — is that this is not a game,” he said.
“If the Druzhba pipeline is in a condition to carry oil, then it should be reopened as promised. We also call on Russia to supply oil into the pipeline. Without it, it cannot function.”
Magyar added that his party had its own indications this could happen within days and stressed that Hungary would not “give in to blackmail”.
“I would not advise the Ukrainian president to go down that road. Not only Hungary, but Europe as a whole would reject it. Reopening agreements that have already been settled is not how we operate in Europe,” he said.
Earlier, Orbán had indicated that deliveries via the Druzhba could resume on Monday, although there is no evidene that flows have restarted.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not commented publicly about restoring the pipeline in the coming days.
Hungary to remain in ICC, Netanyahu invitation raises questions
Magyar also addressed Hungary’s position on the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Orbán government initiated steps last year to withdraw from the court.
However, the prime minister-elect said he intends to reverse that decision and keep Hungary within the ICC framework.
Asked about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — who is wanted by the ICC over alleged war crimes, and whom Magyar invited to Budapest last week — he said Hungary would adhere to its legal obligations.
“I have been transparent: if an individual who is subject to an international warrant enters Hungary, they must be detained,” he said. “I assume all heads of state and government are aware of these legal requirements.”
EU funds and reform commitments
Magyar also outlined his approach to unlocking EU funds currently withheld from Hungary.
He acknowledged that several conditions set by Brussels may need to be renegotiated but identified four key areas where progress could be made, including anti-corruption measures and press freedom.
“These align with the European Commission’s expectations,” he noted.
Magyar said his government could achieve in three months what “Orbán could not accomplish in three years”, pledging to address systemic issues and ensure proper accounting of EU funds in previous projects.
He also called on the European Commission to suspend fines imposed on Hungary over its refusal to comply with EU refugee quota rules.
“Initially, this was dismissed as impossible, but there are now indications it may be reconsidered,” he said.
He expressed confidence that a political agreement could be reached between by mid-May, with legislative amendments completed by the end of the month, paving the way for the release of EU funds.
