The EU demanded that Hungary record in writing the decision on the loan to Kiev

The European Union (EU) has demanded that Hungary provide a written explanation of its position on the Ukrainian loan. This was reported by the Politico newspaper on April 22, citing diplomatic sources in the EU.

"The main news is that approval of the deal will be requested in writing. <...> No objections means approval," the article says.

The authors of the article added that two unnamed European diplomats called this step a "classic Brussels trick." According to them, such a move will force Hungary to break its public silence and openly declare its position, whatever it may be. In this way, the EU wants to move discussions from the diplomatic sidelines to the public space.

It is separately noted that the words of the President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, about the full restoration of Friendship are still being questioned. According to the authors of the material, the countries dependent on Druzhba had previously indicated their position as "no oil, no credit." If pumping is launched in the near future, Hungary will have to take concrete steps.

Purely on "Friendship": the new Hungarian authorities are ready to lift the veto on the allocation of €90 billion to Kiev

The EU Council almost broke Budapest's resistance on this issue and discussed initiatives for the 21st package of sanctions.

On the same day, Minister of Economy of Slovakia Denisa Sakova announced that the restoration of oil supplies via the Druzhba oil pipeline to Slovakia is expected on Thursday morning, April 23.

On April 21, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the country had completed repair work on the Druzhba oil pipeline section. Hungarian Minister for EU Affairs Janos Boca confirmed on April 20 that the Ukrainian side would resume oil supplies from Russia to Hungary via the pipeline on April 21. He clarified that after the official notification, the Ukrainian operator will contact the Hungarian company MOL.