Zelensky sharply responded to Orban because of the blocking of €90 billion for Ukraine. The president also said that he does not support the restoration of the Druzhba pipeline, since it transports Russian oil. The president also expects from the mayor of Kyiv a plan for the stability of the capital.
During a briefing on March 5, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky sharply criticized the position of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who blocks the EU’s decision to allocate financial assistance to Ukraine, informs the PromPolitInform portal.
The Head of State said that he hopes that “one person in the European Union” will not block the tranche of 90 billion euros: “I hope that one person in the European Union will not block the tranche of 90 billion. Or we will give the address of this person to our soldiers – let them call him and communicate with him in their own language,” Zelensky said.
About Druzhba oil pipeline
During the briefing, the president also commented on the situation with the Druzhba pipeline, through which Russian oil was previously supplied to European countries. According to Zelensky, Ukraine has not yet received an official appeal for its restoration, but he personally does not support such an idea.
“To be honest, I would not restore it. That’s my position. I told her to the leaders of Europe and those who contacted me with this question. This is Russian oil,” the president said.
The supply of Russian oil through Druzhba stopped on January 27 after a Russian attack, which caused a large-scale fire and seriously damaged equipment at the facility.
Meanwhile, the head of Naftogaz Sergey Koretsky said that the restoration of the Druzhba pipeline in its previous form does not make sense.
At the same time, Hungary and Slovakia said that Ukraine allegedly stopped deliveries for political reasons and did not recognize the damage. Because of this, Budapest and Bratislava resorted to pressure on Kyiv. In particular, Hungary blocked the decision to allocate an EU loan to Ukraine in the amount of about 90 billion euros. In addition, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, along with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, threatened to stop supplying emergency electricity to Ukraine if Kyiv did not resume oil transit.
Orban himself also stated that, according to satellite images, there was allegedly no damage to the pipeline. To this, Zelensky previously replied that he was surprised by such statements: “Maybe he is a magician and sees underground,” the president said.
Hungary also refuses to consider alternative oil supply routes to the country, in particular through Croatia, explaining that Russian oil is cheaper.
On Peace Negotiations
Now Ukraine is waiting for the US to announce the date of a new round of negotiations. Previously, a tripartite meeting was planned for March 5-6 in Abu Dhabi. However, due to hostilities in the Middle East, negotiations were postponed. Vladimir Subsequently suggests that the meeting can be held in Geneva or another city in Europe.
About the Middle East
President Vladimir Zelensky said that in three days of escalation in the Middle East, the countries of the region used more than 800 PAC-3 missiles to intercept attacks. According to him, Ukraine for all the time of a full-scale war has never had so many missiles to repel attacks. Zelensky also noted that Kyiv is holding consultations with the states of the region and is ready to share experience in countering drones, in particular, he proposed exchanging Ukrainian interceptor drones to fight against “chess” for Patriot missiles. Ukraine is also ready to provide expert assistance to protect civil and energy infrastructure.
About gas prices
Director of Naftogaz Sergey Koretsky also said that due to the war in the Middle East, prices at Ukrainian gas stations increased by 6 UAH, but there is no panic. Zelensky said that the state-owned Ukrnafta had agreed to work without profit during the crisis – in order to restrain price increases.
On personnel issues and Kyiv’s sustainability plan
During the briefing, the Ukrainian authorities also touched on other issues. The head of the Servant of the People faction, David Arakhamia, said that the appointment of new ministers could take place within two to three months. In particular, we are talking about the ministers of justice and digital transformation. According to Arakhamia, now this is not a priority for the parliament, because the main task is to adopt laws necessary to unblock financial assistance to Ukraine, in particular the EU loan of 90 billion euros, as well as IMF programs and other international support initiatives.
Zelensky also said that the plan of stability of Kyiv is expected until Tuesday, March 10. The previous plan, which Kyiv presented at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council this week, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, the central government did not take into account the country’s assistance to cities in the general budget.
About road repair
As for the repair of Ukrainian roads, this requires about 52 billion hryvnias.
At a briefing, Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko said that the government plans to additionally allocate at least UAH 10 billion for road repairs after winter. Some of them will be sent to the front-line and evacuation routes.
The work is planned to be carried out in two stages.
About Russians at the Paralympics
President Vladimir Zelensky said he would discuss with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni the issue of admitting Russian Paralympics to the Paralympic Games. According to him, Ukraine considers the decision of international sports institutions that allowed the Russian Paralympic team to participate in competitions a problem. The Winter Paralympic Games will start on March 6 in Milan, and the International Paralympic Committee has allowed six Russian and four Belarusian athletes to participate. Because of this, Ukraine and more than 10 other countries will boycott the opening ceremony of the competition.
Recall that the EU is considering financial assistance to Ukraine for the repair of the Druzhba pipeline in order to unlock a loan of 90 billion euros blocked by Hungary and Slovakia.
Photo – OP
