Hungary is threatening to block a proposed 90 billion-euro European Union loan to Ukraine — worth roughly $106 billion — unless oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline are restored.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó wrote Friday on X that Hungary would oppose the EU funding package until oil transit via the Russian-linked Druzhba pipeline resumes.

«Ukraine is blackmailing Hungary by halting oil transit in coordination with Brussels and the Hungarian opposition to create supply disruptions in Hungary and push fuel prices higher before the elections,» Szijjártó said. 

He further claimed that blocking oil transit violates the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and breaches Kyiv’s commitments to the European Union.

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The Druzhba pipeline has long been a key route for Russian oil deliveries to parts of Central Europe, including Hungary, even as much of the EU has moved to curb reliance on Russian energy following Moscow’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The European Commission in January adopted a legislative package to implement a previously agreed 90 billion-euro loan to Ukraine for 2026 and 2027, aimed at supporting the country’s budgetary and military needs, according to a press release.

The financial commitment, known as the «Ukraine Support Loan,» would be structured as a limited recourse loan, with roughly 60 billion euros allocated for military assistance and 30 billion designated for general budget support.

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A general view of Hungarian oil company MOL’s Duna Refinery near Szazhalombatta, about 30 kilometers south of Budapest, on May 5, 2022. (Attila Kisbenedek/AFP via Getty Images)

The Commission said the funding is intended to help Ukraine maintain essential state functions, bolster its defense capabilities and strengthen resilience as the war with Russia continues.

The loan would be financed through common EU borrowing on capital markets and guaranteed by the EU budget. The Commission also noted that the EU reserves the right to use immobilized Russian assets within the bloc, in accordance with EU and international law, to repay the loan.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday rejected what it called «ultimatums and blackmail» from the governments of Hungary and Slovakia over energy supplies, accusing both countries of taking actions that are «provocative, irresponsible, and threaten the energy security of the entire region.»

The Druzhba oil pipeline between Hungary and Russia at the MOL Group’s Danube Refinery in Szazhalombatta, Hungary, on May 18, 2022. (Bernadett Szabo/Reuters)

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«Ukraine is in constant contact with representatives of the European Commission regarding the damage to Ukrainian energy infrastructure caused by daily Russian strikes. We have also provided information about the consequences of these Russian attacks on the Druzhba oil pipeline infrastructure to the governments of Hungary and Slovakia,» the ministry said in a statement. «Security and stabilization repair work continues amid daily threats of new missile attacks. Ukraine has also proposed alternative ways to resolve the issue of supplying non-Russian oil to these countries.»

It added that Ukraine remains a «reliable energy partner» to the European Union and argued that «ultimatums should be sent to the Kremlin, and certainly not to Kyiv.»

El papa León XIV realizó este domingo un fuerte llamamiento para que cesen las armas, se llegue a un alto el fuego y se refuerce el diálogo para conseguir la paz en Ucrania, tras el rezo del ángelus en la plaza de San Pedro

“Cuántas víctimas, cuántas vidas y familias destrozadas, cuánta destrucción, cuánto sufrimiento indecible. Cada guerra es realmente una herida infligida a toda la familia humana, que deja tras de sí muerte, devastación y un rastro de dolor que marca a generaciones. La paz no puede posponerse”, dijo el papa recordando que en los próximos días se cumplirán los 4 años de la guerra en Ucrania tras la invasión rusa.

Y agregó: “Es una necesidad urgente que debe encontrar espacio en los corazones y traducirse en decisiones responsables”:

Por ello, añadió: “Renuevo con fuerza mi llamamiento: que callen las armas, que cesen los bombardeos, que se llegue sin demora a un alto el fuego y que se refuerce el diálogo para abrir el camino a la paz”.

Asimismo invitó a todos “a unirse en la oración por el martirizado pueblo ucraniano y por todos los que sufren a causa de esta guerra y de todos los conflictos del mundo, para que brille en nuestros días el tan esperado don de la paz”.

El papa ha reiterado en varias oportunidades durante los últimos meses su postura de rechazo hacia la violencia relacionada con el conflicto en Europa del Este, abogando por soluciones pacíficas que eviten el empeoramiento de la crisis humanitaria.

León XIV remarcó la urgencia de acciones que puedan detener la escalada de hostilidades y reduzcan las consecuencias negativas sobre la población civil, señalando la responsabilidad de la comunidad internacional en la promoción de iniciativas de diálogo. Según el líder de la Iglesia Católica, la prolongación de los ataques agudiza la división entre las partes involucradas e incrementa las dificultades para establecer puentes de entendimiento que conduzcan a una solución política del conflicto.

A casi cuatro años desde el inicio de la invasión rusa, el pontífice remarcó la importancia de que los esfuerzos diplomáticos no decaigan y se busquen nuevos caminos para frenar la violencia y aliviar el sufrimiento de los inocentes.

Las palabras de León XIV resonaron en un contexto marcado por la prolongación de la guerra y la fragmentación de miles de familias ucranianas. Según EFE, la ocupación rusa abarca aproximadamente el 20 % del territorio de Ucrania y mantiene separadas a personas que enfrentan riesgos diarios para mantener un mínimo contacto.

Anna, médica ucraniana refugiada en Leópolis, relató a EFE que lleva más de cuatro años sin ver a sus padres, quienes permanecieron en una zona ocupada del sur. “Tengo miedo de no reconocerlos cuando finalmente nos veamos”, declaró. “También tengo miedo de no ser capaz de presentarles nunca a mis hijos”. Anna subraya que el miedo impregna cada llamada con sus padres, puesto que deben comunicarse solo en ruso y evitar temas sensibles para no ponerlos en peligro.

El entorno hostil limita las conversaciones a cuestiones superficiales, como la salud o el clima, mientras el temor al control de las comunicaciones por parte de los servicios especiales rusos aumenta la ansiedad familiar. “El único peligro al que estoy sometida aquí son los bombardeos rusos. Para ellos, una palabra equivocada, una mirada equivocada entraña una amenaza”, expresó Anna. “Mi familia es lo único valioso que me queda”.

La posibilidad de evacuar a sus padres es remota. “Es solo una cuestión de cuántos controles de carretera rusos puede pasar mi padre antes de que le detengan”, explicó, haciendo referencia a las denuncias sobre hombres detenidos en puestos de control o forzados a realizar tareas militares. La familia aún conserva su casa, pero huir podría costarles la propiedad y, además, las dificultades económicas complicarían su acogida en Leópolis.

Incluso si se logra un alto el fuego, Anna teme que su trabajo en zonas controladas por el gobierno ucraniano la haya convertido en sospechosa ante las autoridades rusas. Regresar a su hogar resultaría demasiado arriesgado. “Rusia no respeta las leyes. Quizá vuelva a ver mi hogar algún día”, expresó.

Alevtina Shvetsova, periodista desplazada de Mariúpol, constató que la situación de Anna es compartida por miles de personas. Muchas permanecieron para cuidar familiares dependientes o evitar la confiscación de sus casas. Los viajes a zonas ocupadas, a menudo a través de terceros países, implican largos interrogatorios y un alto riesgo de ser detenidos o rechazados.

La experiencia de Tetiana, estudiante universitaria de 19 años que huyó de la costa del mar de Azov, ilustra la vigilancia permanente sobre los habitantes de las zonas ocupadas. Tetiana mantiene contacto con su abuelo, quien utiliza dos teléfonos para evitar riesgos: uno básico para uso público y otro reservado para las conversaciones familiares. “Están bajo vigilancia constante. Los rusos intentan quebrarles, quitarles lo que aman”, describió Tetiana.

La presión sobre los residentes incluye la aceptación forzada de pasaportes rusos bajo la amenaza de perder propiedades. Tetiana pidió a su abuelo que oculte sus esperanzas de regresar a la vida bajo control ucraniano. Más de la mitad de los habitantes originales han abandonado la zona y los que permanecen enfrentan la llegada de forasteros enviados desde Rusia.

Las conversaciones de paz actuales generan escepticismo entre los desplazados internos, que ya superan los 3,7 millones. A muchos les resulta inaceptable la posibilidad de que Rusia conserve los territorios ocupados sin rendir cuentas. “Tenemos una gran fe y lo esperamos de todo corazón. Queremos volver o al menos tener la oportunidad de ir y sentirnos allí como en casa”, manifestó Tetiana a EFE.

El mensaje de León XIV se produce cuando la comunidad internacional debate posibles vías para la pacificación y la reconstrucción del país. El papa reiteró que el diálogo y el alto el fuego constituyen los únicos caminos para restaurar la esperanza. Las historias de Anna, Alevtina y Tetiana muestran el impacto humano de un conflicto cuya solución, según el pontífice, no puede esperar.

(con información de EFE y EP)

President Donald Trump will deliver his first official State of the Union address of his second term Tuesday night before a joint session of Congress at the Capitol, as viewers watch for viral moments and headline-grabbing exchanges like those that have defined past speeches.

Here are the top five moments from past State of the Union addresses.

1. Reagan surprises the crowd with first-ever acknowledgment of a guest in the audience

It’s become commonplace in recent years for presidents to acknowledge guests in the audience during SotU addresses, but President Ronald Reagan’s 1982 address was the first time the practice was rolled out. 

Reagan’s speech came just weeks after Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into Washington’s 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River shortly after taking off in an accident that killed 78 people. 

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Three people survived the crash thanks to civilians on the ground who rushed to their aid, including Congressional Budget Office assistant Lenny Skutnik, who stripped off his shoes and clothes and dove into the frigid waters.

Reagan honored Skutnik in his speech, which made honoring people in the crowd a common theme in the years to come. 

«Just two weeks ago, in the midst of a terrible tragedy on the Potomac, we saw again the spirit of American heroism at its finest — the heroism of dedicated rescue workers saving crash victims from icy waters,» Reagan said. «And we saw the heroism of one of our young government employees, Lenny Skutnik, who, when he saw a woman lose her grip on the helicopter line, dived into the water and dragged her to safety.»

2. Speaker Pelosi tears up Trump’s 2020 speech

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sparked a social media firestorm and cemented herself in State of the Union infamy in February 2020 when she stood up and tore Trump’s speech into pieces after he had finished.

When Fox News asked Pelosi afterward why she did it, she responded, «Because it was the courteous thing to do considering the alternatives.» She added, «I tore it up. I was trying to find one page with truth on it. I couldn’t.»

Pelosi’s outburst came on the heels of Trump’s first impeachment trial, which ended in a Senate acquittal the day after the speech.

«Speaker Pelosi just ripped up: One of our last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. The survival of a child born at 21 weeks. The mourning families of Rocky Jones and Kayla Mueller. A service member’s reunion with his family. That’s her legacy,» the White House tweeted after Pelosi tore up the speech, referencing individuals who Trump mentioned during his address.

3. Rep. Joe Wilson ‘You lie!’ outburst at President Obama

One of the most remembered moments from a State of the Union address came in 2009 when South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson interrupted President Barack Obama’s address, which at the time was far less common than it later became. 

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First Lady Nancy Reagan applauding Leonard Skutnit, as his wife looks on, during President Reagan’s State of the Union address. Skutnik rescued people from the icy Potomac River following the crash of Air Florida flight 90.  (Getty)

«There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants,» Obama said, talking about his controversial Obamacare plan. «This, too, is false. The reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.»

«You lie!» Wilson shouted from his seat on the Republican side of the chamber, causing widespread yelling from other members in the audience.

Wilson later apologized to Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel. 

«This evening, I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the president’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill,» Wilson said in a written statement. «While I disagree with the president’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility.»

4. Rep. Boebert heckles Biden over Afghanistan withdrawal during 2022 address

«You put them in, 13 of them,» GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert shouted at Biden as he talked about Afghanistan veterans who ended up in caskets due to exposure to toxic burn pits. Boebert was referencing the 13 U.S. service members killed during Biden’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. 

Boebert was wearing an outfit that said «Drill Baby Drill» in opposition to Biden’s energy policies and her outburst drew some boos from the audience.

At another point, Boebert and Greene started chanting «build the wall» when Biden was talking about immigration. 

5. President Biden blasts GOP lawmakers in 2023 address, prompting jeers from Republicans in the crowd

«Some of my Republican friends want to take the economy hostage — I get it — unless I agree to their economic plans,» Biden said to Congress, prompting a shake of the head from then-GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the background and shouts from the crowd and shots of other Republicans shaking their heads. 

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President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress as Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., listen on February 7, 2023. (Jacquelyn Martin-Pool/Getty Images)

«Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans, some Republicans, want Medicare and Social Security to sunset,» Biden continued, which caused an even more pronounced shake of the head from McCarthy, who mouthed «no» as Republicans continued to jeer. 

«I’m not saying it’s the majority,» Biden continued, which resulted in even more boos from the raucous crowd. 

«Let me give you — anybody who doubts it, contact my office. I’ll give you a copy — I’ll give you a copy of the proposal,» Biden continued to say over increasingly louder shouting from the crowd. 

«That means Congress doesn’t vote — I’m glad to see — no, I tell you, I enjoy conversion,» Biden said, apparently meaning to say «conversation.»

Biden’s speech continued to devolve from there as Republican outrage interrupted him on multiple occasions.