The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has confirmed that a group of Hungarian citizens crossed the Ukrainian border in accordance with the standard rules established for residents of Schengen countries. Their entry was made under the visa-free regime, and the group did not receive any official status.
This is reported by Finway
Foreign Ministry on the status of the Hungarian group
Spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Georgiy Tikhiy, emphasized that these individuals do not have official status in the country and are not planning any official meetings. According to him, it is incorrect to refer to such a group as a “delegation,” as they are in the country as tourists.
“Any individuals for tourism purposes can enter Ukraine in this manner from Schengen countries. This group of individuals does not have official status or planned official meetings in Ukraine, so it is certainly incorrect to call them a ‘delegation.’ Citizens of other states who respect Ukraine and adhere to general visiting rules, including for tourism purposes, can be present in Ukraine,” said the Foreign Ministry representative.
Issues regarding the Druzhba pipeline and Hungary’s position
On the same day, Hungary’s Deputy Minister of Energy, Gabor Chepek, stated that representatives of his country had traveled to Ukraine for negotiations regarding the restoration of the Druzhba pipeline’s operation and to assess its condition. According to Chepek, the mission aims to protect Hungarian interests and achieve the reopening of the pipeline.
The Druzhba pipeline runs transit through Ukraine and supplies Russian oil to European countries, including Hungary and Slovakia. Following the onset of the full-scale invasion by Russia, the European Union imposed a ban on the import of Russian oil; however, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria were granted a delay as these countries do not have sea access and depend on supplies through Druzhba. Subsequently, Austria was able to diversify its oil supply sources.
At the end of January, according to the Ukrainian side, the pipeline was damaged during Russian shelling, but Hungarian and Slovak officials deny this. Official Budapest emphasizes that the latest satellite data revealed no technical or operational reasons that would hinder the prompt restoration of the pipeline’s operation.
Together with Slovakia, Hungary is currently blocking the approval of the twentieth package of EU sanctions against Russia and the allocation of a multi-billion euro loan to Ukraine. Both countries promise not to lift their veto until the transportation of Russian oil through Druzhba is restored.