Tourists, not delegation: Ukraine responds to arrival of Hungarians for 'Druzhba pipeline talks'

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that a group of Hungarian citizens arrived in the country on Wednesday, March 11, but said it does not consider them an official delegation, as they entered under standard travel rules.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi made the statement to journalists in response to reports about a Hungarian delegation visiting Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

"We know that this morning a group of Hungarian citizens entered Ukraine under the general rules applicable to all citizens of Schengen Area countries, using visa-free travel. Any individuals may enter Ukraine from Schengen countries in this way for tourist purposes," he said.

Tykhyi stressed that since the group has no official status or scheduled official meetings while in Ukraine, it would be incorrect to describe them as a "delegation."

"Citizens of other countries may stay in Ukraine as long as they respect the country and comply with the general rules of entry, including for tourism purposes," the spokesperson added.

Earlier, Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs said a Hungarian delegation led by State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy Gabor Czepek had traveled to Kyiv for talks on restoring the operation of the Druzhba oil pipeline.

On January 27, Russian strikes hit energy infrastructure in the Lviv region, halting the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline.

Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban sent an open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urging the immediate reopening of the pipeline.

European Council President Antonio Costa and Zelensky agreed that Ukraine would assess how long it would take to repair the Druzhba pipeline damaged by Russia.