'Maybe Orbán is magician': Zelenskyy mocks Hungarian PM and responds to Fico’s conditions
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy mocked Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán over his statements regarding the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline, according to Zelenskyy's statements during a press conference.
Read also: Druzhba pipeline countdown: How US and EU tighten pressure on Orbán's energy power
"You can see the technical tanks from a satellite. One large tank is ruptured. That’s what you can see. You won’t see the control room from a satellite. Maybe Orbán is some kind of magician who managed to see the condition of the pipeline underground from space. I’m surprised, but, nonetheless, anything can happen," the president said.
Zelenskyy also commented on Hungary’s and Slovakia’s demands to restore the Druzhba pipeline. He emphasized that the cost of such a restoration would be the lives of Ukrainians, as the Russian forces repeatedly strike energy facilities.
"Has anyone heard from Orbán or Fico (Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico) that they are very grateful to Ukraine or feel sorry for the families, relatives, and loved ones who suffered? Not a single word. Other than the fact that we supposedly owe them again," he noted.
Invitation for Fico to Ukraine
The President of Ukraine confirmed that Fico has agreed to a personal meeting and added that he expects the Slovak prime minister to visit Ukraine.
"Our team proposed dates for the meeting from March 6–9 — choose a date. We heard the media feedback 'let’s meet in some other country.' In which country am I supposed to meet Fico? Where is the Druzhba pipeline? In Ukraine. I invited him — he confirmed he will come, welcome!" Zelenskyy said.
Issues with the Druzhba pipeline
On February 27, Viktor Orbán spoke with Robert Fico. According to the Hungarian politician, both prime ministers disagree with the idea that restoring the Druzhba pipeline is impossible due to technical problems.
Orbán claimed that there are supposedly no technical obstacles and that the pipeline was closed "exclusively for political reasons."
Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Ukraine allegedly demands money and weapons supplies in exchange for restoring the operation of the Druzhba pipeline.
