Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has publicly addressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing Kyiv of obstructing the critical Druzhba oil pipeline. In a letter and video posted on social media on February 26, Orbán demanded greater respect for Hungary and urged the immediate restoration of the pipeline’s operations.
Orbán claimed that for the past four years, Ukraine has attempted to drag Hungary into its conflict with Russia, allegedly coordinating with Brussels and Hungarian opposition groups to establish a pro-Ukrainian government in Budapest. He stated, “Recently, you have blocked the Druzhba pipeline, which is vital for Hungary’s energy supply. Your actions contradict Hungary’s interests and jeopardize the reliable and affordable energy supply for Hungarian families.”
In his message, Orbán insisted that Zelensky should promptly resume the pipeline’s operations and refrain from any further actions that could threaten Hungary’s energy security. He expressed sympathy for the Ukrainian people but emphasized that Hungary does not wish to participate in the war or finance military efforts, stating, “We do not want to pay more for energy.”
On February 25, Orbán convened a meeting of the Defense Council to address the situation surrounding the Druzhba pipeline. He directed measures to enhance the protection of critical energy infrastructure, citing intelligence reports suggesting that Ukraine may be planning further actions that could disrupt Hungary’s energy system. As a precaution, Orbán announced the deployment of military personnel and necessary equipment near key energy facilities to counter potential threats.
Additionally, he indicated that police would increase patrols around power plants, substations, and control centers. A ban on drone flights has also been implemented in the Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg region to further safeguard these critical areas.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has accused Ukraine of blocking the Druzhba oil pipeline, asserting that this jeopardizes Hungary's energy security. He has called for immediate restoration of the pipeline and announced measures to protect critical energy infrastructure amid concerns over potential disruptions from Ukraine.