Hungary accused Ukraine of attacking and disabling a Russian oil pipeline that supplies the NATO ally, and fired a warning to Kyiv about its reliance on Hungarian electricity supplies.
The Orban government in Budapest has criticized Western involvement in helping Ukraine to defend against the Russian invasion, and has sought to maintain its relations with Moscow, despite its membership of NATO and the European Union (EU).
“This latest strike against our energy security is outrageous and unacceptable!” Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó posted to X on Monday morning, August 18.
Szijjártó said Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin told him they were working to restore the supply, but could not give a time for its resumption.
“For 3.5 years Brussels and Kyiv have tried to drag Hungary into the war in Ukraine. These repeated Ukrainian attacks on our energy supply serve that same purpose,” Szijjártó said on X.
“Let me be clear: this is not our war. We have nothing to do with it, and as long as we are in charge, Hungary will stay out of it.
“Finally, a reminder to Ukrainian decision-makers: electricity from Hungary plays a vital role in powering your country…”
Newsweek has contacted the Ukrainian foreign ministry for comment.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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