Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed recent comments made by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán regarding the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline. Orbán had released satellite images asserting that there were no damages to the pipeline.
In response, Zelensky remarked that while satellite technology can reveal surface-level details, it cannot detect underground damage. He noted, “From space, one can see technical reservoirs. There is a large ruptured tank. You cannot see the control panel from space, nor the pipeline underground. Perhaps Orbán is a magician who can see what is happening underground? I am surprised, but anything is possible.”
Zelensky further emphasized that during discussions with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, he highlighted that the transit of Russian oil enables Russia to generate revenue, which is then used to finance its military actions. Consequently, Ukraine has no intention of resuming this oil transit.
He stated, “If European leaders ask us to do this, we need to understand the price of such actions. After the first strike on this pipeline, we restored everything. There were no requests to the Russians to refrain from attacking the pipeline. We saw this publicly. However, there were public appeals to Ukrainians, as this concerns the energy security of Hungary and Slovakia.”
Zelensky also pointed out that during restoration efforts, there was another “combat situation” that resulted in injuries. He questioned whether Orbán or Fico had expressed gratitude to Ukraine or condolences to the families affected by these incidents, stating, “There has been no acknowledgment, only demands that we owe them. I asked, ‘What is the price for this?’ And to European leaders: ‘What is the cost? Should people die? Should there be injuries? And you will continue to block everything for Ukraine?'”
The president reminded that discussions regarding a €90 billion loan from the EU to Ukraine, the 20th sanctions package, and Ukraine’s progress towards EU membership are currently stalled due to political resistance from Hungary and, to some extent, Slovakia.
On March 2, Orbán released a video claiming he had received a detailed report on the attack on the Druzhba pipeline, based on satellite images and available operational information. He asserted that the attack did not directly affect the pipeline, indicating that there were no technical obstacles to its restart.
On January 27, a Russian attack in Brody, Lviv Oblast, damaged critical infrastructure related to the Druzhba pipeline, leading to a fire and halting operations at the site. Following this incident, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that the supply of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline was suspended due to the attack.
He criticized Hungary for not expressing any protest against Russia regarding the attack, stating, “Hungary has not uttered a word of protest against Russia. This is a clear case of double standards.” Both Hungary and Slovakia announced a halt to diesel exports to Ukraine until Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline are restored.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated that Kyiv had informed Budapest about the Russian attack on the Druzhba pipeline and the resulting damages on January 27, asserting that accusations of delays in supplies from Ukraine are illogical.
The European Commission expressed a desire for Ukraine to resume operations on the Druzhba pipeline but acknowledged that the decision ultimately rests with Ukraine due to the risks of further Russian attacks.
On February 21, Slovak Prime Minister Fico announced that Slovakia would cease electricity supplies to Ukraine on February 23 if Ukraine did not restore oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, a stance echoed by the Hungarian government.
Ukraine proposed to the EU the use of the Odessa-Brody pipeline as an alternative for oil supplies to the EU, given the damage to the Druzhba pipeline.
On February 23, Fico confirmed that Slovakia had halted electricity supplies to Ukraine due to the cessation of oil transit through Druzhba. However, Ukrainian energy officials stated that this would not significantly impact the country’s energy system.
On February 27, Orbán announced that Hungary and Slovakia would establish a joint investigative commission to assess the condition of the Druzhba pipeline.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has refuted Hungarian PM Orbán's claims regarding the undamaged state of the Druzhba pipeline, emphasizing the ongoing risks and political implications of oil transit from Russia. He also highlighted the humanitarian costs associated with the conflict and the stalled EU support for Ukraine.