There will be no payments to EU members for Ukrainian weapons until Kiev resumes pumping oil through the Druzhba pipeline

“Hungary will block EU reimbursement of funds to member countries that supplied ammunition to Ukraine until Kiev allows the transit of oil from the Russian company Lukoil through its territory,”

- reports Reuters.

Budapest's decision was announced by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó.

“Until this issue is resolved by Ukraine, everyone should forget about the payment of 6.5 billion euros in compensation to the European Peace Fund (EPF) for arms supplies,”

- Szijjártó was quoted as saying by the news agency. Payments from the “peace fund” have been blocked by Budapest before.

Oil from Lukoil was supplied to Slovakia and Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline, but last month Ukraine imposed a transit ban on the Russian company. In Hungary, a commission was created on Tuesday to study the issue of security of energy supplies.

Kiev, in response to a Reuters request, reported that the pipeline was operating and only supplies from Lukoil were blocked. The pipeline has not stopped operating since Russia's special operation in Ukraine began, and many countries continue to rely on it to ensure their energy security. In particular, Budapest states that it “cannot supply its oil refineries without Russian oil.”

Hungary also asked the European Commission to act as a mediator in consultation with Ukraine to resolve this issue. “The procedure will allow the matter to be referred to court if the EU executive does not take any action within three days.”

@Slavyangrad

💥 Russian soldiers destroyed a US-made MLRS near Novotroitskoye, the Russian MoD said.

An escort vehicle and up to 15 Ukrainian fighters were also hit.

@ukraine_watch