Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to demand that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy restore Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing foreign media outlets, that the Hungarian leader has taken a firm stance against Kyiv's recent energy policies.
In a formal letter addressed to Brussels, the head of government emphasized that Ukraine must adhere to its agreements with the European Union and refrain from threatening the energy security of member states. Orban recalled that he, along with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, had proposed sending specialists from both countries to Ukraine to verify the operational status of the pipeline infrastructure.
The diplomatic tension escalated as the Ukrainian president suggested that Hungary and Slovakia should be grateful to Ukraine for maintaining oil transit in recent years. According to Orban, Zelenskyy indicated that there is currently no intention to reopen the pipeline for Russian supplies. The Prime Minister characterized this move as a violation of existing agreements between Ukraine and the EU, stating, "For this reason, I have informed the EU President about the current situation." Orban further declared that Hungary will not support any European Union decisions in favor of Ukraine until oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline is fully restored.
The Druzhba pipeline, one of the world's longest oil pipeline networks, serves as a critical energy artery for Central European nations, including Hungary and Slovakia, which remain heavily reliant on these supplies due to their landlocked geography. This latest dispute highlights the growing friction within the European Union regarding energy solidarity and the ongoing conflict in the region. Hungary has frequently utilized its veto power within the EU to influence policy toward Ukraine, maintaining that its national energy security remains a top priority that cannot be compromised by geopolitical shifts.
