The European Commission condemned this Friday, March 6, statements by the President of Ukraine about the Hungarian Prime Minister and warned that an “escalation of rhetoric” does not help to unlock the European loan of 90 billion euros.
The reaction comes after, this Thursday, the 5th, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, suggested that he would give his army the coordinates of the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, if he continues to block an EU loan of 90 billion euros, statements that Hungary described as “a threat” to the country.
“We consider this type of language to be unacceptable. There can be no threats to EU Member States”, said deputy spokesperson for the European Commission Olof Gill at the community executive’s daily press conference.
The spokesperson stressed that “an escalation of rhetoric between all parties is neither helpful nor conducive” to unlock the 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine.
“We are in active discussions with all parties to tone down the rhetoric and achieve these objectives,” he indicated.
Olof Gill mentioned that the “most important objective currently is to ensure that the loan agreed by the European Council is granted” and stressed that the European Commission expects “all EU leaders to honor this commitment”.
The spokesperson also added that the European Commission is “taking all possible measures to put pressure on Russia and put an end to its war of aggression” and to “guarantee the energy security of Member States”
“The Commission will continue to work calmly and coherently with all parties to ensure these objectives are achieved,” he said.
Relations between Hungary and Ukraine are worsening at the same time that Viktor Orbán is campaigning for re-election as head of government.
Orbán has declared that he intends to defend the Hungarian minority in Ukraine and this week said he would facilitate the release of Ukrainian-Hungarian soldiers in Russia, a move that Kiev described as a “cynical” handling of prisoners of war.
Orbán also accused Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky of using fallacious arguments to delay the resumption of Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, the section of which crosses Ukraine was damaged by a Russian air strike in January.
On Thursday, Zelensky admitted to blocking traffic for political reasons.
“To be honest, I’m not going to reinstate him. That’s my position,” he declared during a meeting with government authorities.
In retaliation, Budapest blocked the European Union’s €90 billion loan to Ukraine and the adoption of a new package of sanctions against Russia.
Viktor Orbán has insisted he will not give in to Kiev’s demands.
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