UPDATE: Zelensky against Orbán… Why the two men hate each other
According to recent reports, the following story has emerged from the international scene.
Relationships are terrible. Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, relations between kyiv and Hungary have been absolutely detestable. The reason is quite simple. If it is indeed a member of the European Union, Hungary is one of the only countries to have moved closer to Russia since the start of the war in 2022. For four years, relations between the two territories which share 140 kilometers of border have been abominable. In recent days, tension has risen further with each speech by Viktor Orbán and Volodymyr Zelensky. 20 Minutes has compiled for you some of the reasons for this umpteenth deterioration. A story of an oil pipeline It finds itself badly named. The “friendship” pipeline (droujma in Russian) is still at a standstill. This long 4,000 km long pipe normally brings Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary, the only European countries which continue to import Putin’s black gold and benefit from an exemption. Hit by a Russian strike in January, the pipeline is out of order. And Orbán clearly accuses Ukraine of delaying fixing it, which is undoubtedly true. “To be honest, I won’t fix it. This is my position,” Zelensky insisted despite injunctions from the European Union. “It’s Russian oil. They are killing us, and we should be supplying oil to Orbán because poor Orbán cannot win the elections without this oil,” the Ukrainian leader said. While recognizing that the pipeline could be restored “within a month and a half”. With the conflict in the Middle East and the rise in the price of black gold, the tension has risen further. The 90 billion loan is blocked To put pressure on his enemy, Orban used all his weight. As a member of the Union, he vetoed and is currently blocking the 90 billion euro loan that was to be granted to Ukraine. And also hinders the adoption of a new package of sanctions against Russia. And that doesn’t go over well with Zelensky, who even appeared threatening on Thursday. “We hope that one person in the EU will not block the 90 billion. Otherwise, we will give this person’s address to our armed forces, to our guys. Let them call him and speak to him in their own language,” he said. “This type of language is unacceptable. There must be no threat against EU member states,” reacted Olof Gill, a spokesperson for the European Commission. Ukraine no longer wants its fellow citizens to go to Hungary This Thursday, the Ukrainian government advised its nationals “to abstain, due to lack of security guarantee against a backdrop of arbitrary actions by the Hungarian authorities” after the announced expulsion of seven Ukrainians. Ukrainian prisoners were released in exchange for prisoners Russians on Thursday. – Genya Savilov/AFPHungary accuses them of transporting gold and currencies from Austria. “We will stop letting things important for Ukraine transit through Hungary, until we receive approval from Ukraine for oil deliveries,” said Orbán. Prisoners released by PutinThe Hungarian leader, in the middle of an electoral campaign, this week obtained the release of Ukrainian-Hungarian soldiers from Vladimir Putin. A gesture described by kyiv as “cynical” manipulation of prisoners of war. While the Hungarian economy is in difficulty and the polls are poor, Viktor Orbán is seeking to regain control after sixteen years in power.
Analysis and Perspective:
This development could have far-reaching consequences for global politics in the months ahead.
This is part of a broader trend that has been reshaping the geopolitical landscape in recent months.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to unfold.
Source: This article was originally published in another language by 20Minutes – Actu Monde and has been translated and adapted for our global English-speaking audience. Read the original article here.