European Council: Orbán on Ukraine oil dispute as EU chief urges homegrown energy amid Iran conflict

Hungarians must resolve the issue of the Ukrainian oil blockade; Brussels sides with the Ukrainians, the prime minister told reporters on Thursday in Brussels ahead of the European Council meeting.

Responding to a question, Viktor Orbán said he expects nothing from the people in Brussels: “We Hungarians must solve the problem of the Ukrainian oil blockade; Brussels is actually colluding with the Ukrainians and stands on their side (…). Whatever they say, what we’re seeing is just a charade.”

According to MTI, he confirmed that he will never support any decision concerning Ukraine until the Hungarians receive their oil.

“We want to receive the oil that is ours and that the Ukrainians are currently withholding. I will not support any decision that would benefit Ukraine until the Hungarians receive the oil that is theirs” — he stated.

Responding to a question about resolving the stalemate, Viktor Orbán said: “We are not speculating, because once the oil arrives, the situation will be resolved.” He stated that he sees no progress in the matter.

Responding to a question, the prime minister also noted that representatives of the Tisza Party “usually sit here in Ukrainian jerseys” in the European Parliament; the fact that they are pro-Ukrainian is obvious to every Hungarian.

“The Tisza Party is pro-Ukrainian. They’re wearing Ukrainian jerseys; we didn’t put them on them. So the fact that they’re pro-Ukrainian—whether they wear Ukrainian jerseys at home or wave Ukrainian flags in public—is, I think, obvious to every Hungarian,” he said.

Regarding energy prices, he noted that Thursday’s meeting will also address the looming threat of an oil and global economic crisis, which could hit Europe the hardest.

“Today we must discuss how to protect ourselves from this,” said Viktor Orbán, adding that Hungary has its own national tools, but—as he emphasized—a European solution is also needed.

In response to a question regarding the German foreign minister’s threat of severe consequences against Hungary for withholding a loan intended for Ukraine, Viktor Orbán said: “This has happened before; it didn’t end well for the Germans—they shouldn’t do it.”

Regarding the debate with the prime minister, Viktor Orbán stated:

“I only debate with sovereign poeple.”

Why is this interesting?

The last televised prime ministerial debate took place in 2006; at that time, Ferenc Gyurácsány proved to be a stronger candidate than Orbán in the election, and since then, Fidesz’s leader has avoided prime ministerial debates to the extent that he doesn’t even acknowledge his challenger. Now the challenger is clear—Péter Magyar—but based on his statements, he does not consider him a legitimate opponent. According to Magyar, the prime minister is a coward, which is why he does not dare to stand up to him.

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