Dutch PM ‘open’ to Orbán’s Ukraine pipeline demand

Rob Jetten, the new prime minister of the Netherlands, said he was “open” to the proposal from Hungary and Slovakia to send a European fact-finding mission to determine what is happening with the Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine.

Viktor Orbán’s government in Budapest has blocked a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of interfering in its election by refusing to repair the pipeline, which has been repeatedly damaged by Russian bombing.

Orbán, with support from Slovakia’s Robert Fico, has been demanding that Kyiv allow the resumption of oil supplies through the pipeline which carries Russian crude oil to Hungary through Ukraine. Hungarians head to the polls for an election on 12 April.

“We expect that the European Commission solves this issue,” said Jetten, who stressed there was already “political agreement” on the €90 billion loan. Kyiv needs the money by the end of the month to be able to repel the continued Russian invasion.

Jetten added that this is a “clear example” of why Europe should take fewer decisions by unanimity.

“With less and less support from the Americans in terms of money and weapons it is up to the Europeans to deliver,” said Jetten, who has position himself as a firmly pro-Ukraine leader.

Asked if the Netherlands was going to run out of gas because of the conflict in Iran, Jetten said: “at the moment, no,” while stressing that the country needs to prepare itself for impacts on the strategic gas reserves in case the war continues for weeks.

Jetten, a former energy and climate minister, said the Dutch are preparing national measures to take effect “if necessary.” He said The Hague was aiming to start filling up its gas reserves as soon as spring comes.

“The broader concern is what this war, and everything that’s going on in the Strait of Hormuz, is going to affect in terms of pricing,” he said.

EU leaders will discuss energy prices, including the bloc’s power market design, when they meet on 19 and 20 March for a European Council summit.

(jp)