"Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in Budapest on Sunday that Hungary's recent countermeasures against Ukraine target government policy, not the Ukrainian people, after Kiev halted Russian crude oil shipments via the Druzhba pipeline. "We have averted this danger and made the necessary decisions; there is no threat to supply security in Hungary today, and the country's continuous normal operation is guaranteed. At the same time, we have also decided on countermeasures," Orban said. "Regarding energy supplies, where Ukraine is dependent on Hungary, we will proceed cautiously, because Hungarians live on the other side of the border too, and our enemy is not the Ukrainian people, but bad Ukrainian policy," he added. It comes after Hungary announced it would stop sending diesel to Ukraine following the halt of oil deliveries through the southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline on January 27. Kiev blames Russian strikes for the interruption, while Budapest maintains Ukraine can resume flows and is violating its EU Association Agreement. "Ukraine is preventing cheap Russian crude oil from reaching Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline, by doing so posing an energy security risk to Hungary," Orban continued, "If crude oil transport resumes, then normal relations will be restored." Hungary continues to rely on piped oil and gas, including supplies via the Adria pipeline through Croatia and from strategic reserves. Orban then reiterated other countermeasures, including blocking the EU's twentieth sanctions package and a proposed €90 billion aid loan to Ukraine until Kiev restores crude oil flows via the Druzhba pipeline. The EU sanctions package targets Russian crude, including maritime services, insurance, and port access, and requires unanimous approval from all 27 member states. Brussels has warned that nearly 600 vessels linked to a 'shadow fleet' will face tighter controls. Earlier, the Kremlin called EU sanctions 'illegal', warning that unilateral restrictions could backfire. The European Parliament also adopted a package of proposals aimed at supporting Ukraine with a €90 billion loan for 2026-2027 to address Kiev's financing needs."