A Hungarian delegation assessing the state of the Druzhba oil pipeline has wrapped up its visit to Kyiv and is returning to Budapest with findings, despite lacking direct access to the pipeline itself.
According to Gábor Csepek, the head of the mission, the team managed to gather necessary information, although they were not permitted to approach the pipeline directly. He noted that Hungarian Ambassador Antal Heizer participated in a special diplomatic meeting organized by Naftogaz, where Budapest sought technical data.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán commented on the outcomes of the trip, alleging that there was political pressure on Ukraine to provide answers. He stated, “We activated the machinery, but the Ukrainians were unable to do so and failed to present their version. We compelled the Ukrainians to move forward.”
Csepek also mentioned that the mission operated under challenging conditions, as Kyiv was experiencing significant aerial attacks during their visit. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that Hungary would now have a clearer understanding of the pipeline’s condition.
For context, the Druzhba pipeline was shut down on January 27, 2026, due to targeted shelling from Russia. Ukrainian authorities recently indicated that full restoration of the pipeline would take at least a month and a half.
Previously, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expressed skepticism regarding the Hungarian delegation’s visit, labeling them as “tourists” since the trip had not been officially coordinated with Kyiv in that format. Additionally, the Ukrainian side had already conducted a meeting with representatives from numerous foreign embassies, where they provided detailed explanations about the current status of the pipeline and the technical challenges involved.
A Hungarian mission assessing the Druzhba oil pipeline concluded its visit to Kyiv, gathering information despite not accessing the pipeline directly. The trip occurred amid political tensions and ongoing military threats, highlighting the complexities of the situation.