Ukraine, EU: “On the 90 billion loan, Orban must respect the agreement with the leaders”

Brussels, 23 Feb. (LaPresse) – Is Hungary blocking the 90 billion loan to Kyiv over the Druzhba pipeline shutdown? “The European Council approved the Ukrainian loan on the condition that three member states would not financially participate in the program. Now that condition has been met and therefore we expect all leaders to respect their commitments, and not doing so is clearly or would constitute a breach of sincere cooperation,” said European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen during the daily press briefing. “Russia destroyed the Druzhba pipeline. Our priority is the energy security of our member states. Ukraine has committed to repairing the pipeline and the decision on timing is up to them,” she added. “On the Ukrainian loan there was a political agreement by all heads of state, including the head of state who is now threatening to block it. So if there is credibility on the part of all the leaders who committed to this loan, it must be demonstrated. We expect all leaders, including Prime Minister Orbán, to respect his political commitment made at the December European Council,” stressed chief spokesperson Paula Pinho.