Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to halt financial support to Russia instead of Ukraine. This comes as Hungary stands against the European Union's proposed 20th sanctions package targeting Moscow, as reported by RBC-Ukraine.

According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy emphasized that the Druzhba pipeline was damaged by a Russian strike, dismissing any Ukrainian responsibility. He urged Orban to focus his efforts on blocking financial aid to Russia. Ukraine has satellite evidence of Russian involvement in the pipeline disruption, which Zelenskyy warned might not be an isolated incident.

Zelenskyy suggested that Orban discuss possible solutions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, such as an energy ceasefire. Meanwhile, European Council President Antonio Costa clarified that the EU's loan to Ukraine and the Druzhba pipeline issue are unrelated. Costa assured that alternative oil supply routes to Hungary and Slovakia, like the Adriatic pipeline, are available.

Previously, Orban threatened to block the EU sanctions package unless Ukraine reopened the major oil pipeline supplying Russian crude to Hungary. Hungarian authorities also signaled their intention to obstruct the EU's planned financial package aimed at supporting Ukraine's military and economic efforts.

The Druzhba pipeline, operational since 1964, plays a crucial role in transporting Russian oil to Central and Eastern Europe. Ukraine reported a disruption in the pipeline's operation following an attack on January 27. However, Hungarian and Slovak officials accused Ukraine of deliberately stalling the pipeline's restart to exert political pressure on Russia.