New dispute erupts between Hungary and Ukraine over Brussels meeting
Photo: Péter Szijjártó, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs (flickr by institut_ire)
Hungary complained that Ukraine allegedly disrupted a planned trilateral meeting with Slovakia in Brussels. In reality, no such plans existed, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and comments from Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi to journalists.
Szijjártó’s accusations
"It was originally planned that a trilateral meeting would take place today with the participation of the Slovak and Ukrainian energy ministers, but the Ukrainian side ultimately did not agree to it even here in Brussels," the Hungarian Foreign Minister wrote.
He accused Ukraine and Brussels of rejecting all requests for meetings and not allowing EU inspectors to travel to the section of the Druzhba oil pipeline damaged by Russia. Szijjártó again complained that Ukraine doesn't launch Druzhba "for political reasons." In his view, the pipeline is "technically and physically ready" to operate.
"No matter how they try, we will protect ourselves: we have reserves for 86 days because we manage our resources well and keep gasoline prices under control. But let everyone remember that this is how the Ukrainians treat us," the Hungarian minister wrote.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry response
Commenting on Szijjártó’s accusations, Tykhyi stressed that it is impossible to refuse something that was never planned.
"This has already become a typical Hungarian pattern — they imagine something themselves and then accuse us of it," the Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
He added that on Saturday, March 14, a detailed briefing for the diplomatic corps was held by Naftogaz. Among the representatives of 31 countries present at the meeting was also Hungary’s ambassador.
"Full information about the state of the Druzhba pipeline was once again communicated to all partners, including the Hungarians," Tykhyi said.
Scandal involving Szijjártó
Recently, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of lying.
This happened amid a situation surrounding the visit of a Hungarian delegation to Ukraine. The Ukrainian President said he did not know the purpose of the visit of the delegation from Budapest.
Szijjártó claimed that Hungary had informed Ukraine about the visit a day in advance. However, it later turned out that the Ukrainian side had responded to Budapest, saying that the proposed dates were not suitable and suggested agreeing on new ones.
