Moscow: The Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to discuss the situation concerning the Druzhba oil pipeline with Hungary's Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, in Moscow. This meeting comes amid ongoing tensions over the pipeline's operations.
According to Anadolu Agency, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed journalists during a press briefing that President Putin would meet with Szijjarto on his working visit to Moscow. Peskov highlighted the current challenges faced by Hungary and Slovakia, who are significant purchasers of Russian oil, due to what he described as "blackmail" from the Kyiv government. This alleged blackmail involves the deliberate blocking of oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, impacting both countries.
The situation has been tense since an incident on January 27, which Kyiv attributes to Russian actions. Meanwhile, Budapest and Bratislava have accused Ukraine of intentionally obstructing the pipeline's operations to gain political leverage. In response to the halted shipments, Hungary and Slovakia have suspended their diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine.
In related matters, Peskov also addressed issues surrounding nuclear arms reduction. He commented on the plans of France and Germany to enhance cooperation on nuclear deterrence, suggesting that such developments support Russia's stance on the need for European nuclear powers to be involved in strategic stability discussions. Peskov emphasized the impossibility of conducting new negotiations on the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) without this involvement.
This discussion aligns with recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, who announced that France would increase its nuclear warhead count and cease disclosing the size of its stockpile. Macron asserted that this decision is crucial for strengthening Europe's defense amidst rising global security challenges, while maintaining that it does not herald a new arms race.
The New START treaty, the last legally binding agreement limiting U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear forces, expired in early February. Originally signed on April 8, 2010, in Prague, it came into force on February 5, 2011, replacing the previous START I treaty from 1991.