BUDAPEST, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Friday that Hungary will suspend the transit of vital goods to Ukraine unless Kiev resumes oil delivery.
In an interview with state radio Kossuth, Orban said Budapest had already halted gasoline and diesel shipments to Ukraine, although electricity exports continue. He said Hungary is preparing further restrictions until crude oil transit to Hungary via Ukraine is restored.
"We have stopped gasoline shipments ... we are not supplying diesel either," Orban said. "We will also stop things important to Ukraine that pass through Hungary until we receive the Ukrainians' approval for oil deliveries."
Orban tied the measures to the suspension of crude oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian crude to Hungary and Slovakia through Ukrainian territory. He described the disruption as politically motivated rather than technical.
"Hungary is simply exercising its rights," Orban said. "We will not support any financial assistance for Ukraine in Brussels until the Ukrainians allow the oil deliveries."
He also said Budapest has set up a fact-finding committee of officials and experts to assess the pipeline's condition. The government is seeking access for the group to conduct an on-site inspection in Ukraine.
Orban's remarks came amid rising tensions between Budapest and Kiev over energy security and Hungary's opposition to the European Union's aid for Ukraine. ■
