Media: Orbán contacted EU to verify Druzhba pipeline damage on the ground

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has requested the EU to launch a "fact-finding mission" to assess the damage done to the Druzhba oil pipeline, saying it could help unlock an EU loan for Ukraine.

"Hungary supports the idea of a fact-finding mission with the participation of experts delegated by Hungary and Slovakia to verify the status of the Druzhba pipeline," Orbán said in a letter to European Council President Antonio Costa, as reported by Reuters.

Orbán said he understands the political difficulties caused by the delay in providing Ukraine with a large EU loan and added that his initiative "aims at facilitating the timeline resolution of this issue".

Hungary blocked new sanctions against Russia and an EU loan for Ukraine this week in response to the halt in oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline.

Ukraine says the pipeline is still not repaired after being damaged by Russian strikes in late January.

Viktor Orbán has written an open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and has accused him of pursuing an "anti-Hungarian policy".

On 25 February, Orbán claimed there is a "Ukrainian threat" to Hungary's energy system and announced the deployment of troops to protect the energy infrastructure.

Politico reported earlier that EU officials are looking for ways to give Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán an opportunity to save face ahead of his country's elections. This could allow him to lift his veto on funding for Ukraine.