"The European Union's unlocking of a 90bn-euro loan to Ukraine was a bittersweet victory because it came with a multibillion-dollar gift to Russia. Hungary agreed to lift a veto on the loan after Ukraine mended the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Hungary with Russian oil."
"Ukraine needs the money to fight for another two years, but landlocked Hungary and Slovakia say they both depend on the Druzhba pipeline as their only source of crude. Last year, they received 9.25 million tonnes through it, worth more than $4bn."
"Inna Sovsun, a Ukrainian parliament member, stated, 'In order for us to get some money to survive, the aggressor who is killing us needs to get some money, as well. It seems like it's a deal where we just cannot win.'"
"Apart from Hungary and Slovakia, the EU appears to agree with Sovsun. It banned Russian seaborne crude and refined petroleum products as of January and March 2023, respectively, carving out an exception for pipeline crude until the Council of EU leaders decides otherwise."
Hungary and Slovakia rely on the Druzhba pipeline for Russian oil, receiving 9.25 million tonnes last year. The EU's recent loan to Ukraine included a multibillion-dollar benefit to Russia, causing concern among Ukrainians. Ukrainian parliament member Inna Sovsun criticized the situation as immoral, highlighting the paradox of needing funds while indirectly supporting the aggressor. Other EU nations have moved away from Russian oil, but Hungary and Slovakia maintain their dependence on the pipeline, complicating the EU's stance on sanctions against Russia.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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