Double standards: Ukraine's top diplomat slams Hungary over silence on Russia's Druzhba strike
Photo: Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Problems with the transit of Russian oil to Hungary are the result of Russian strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline infrastructure — strikes that Budapest has not publicly condemned, according to Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
"We know that the Hungarian side is preparing to complain again about problems with Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline. We can only advise them to approach their “friends” in Moscow with these photos," Sybiha wrote.
He noted that the Druzhba pipeline infrastructure caught fire following a targeted Russian strike on January 27, which halted oil transit.
"By the way, Hungary made no protest to Russia about it. They could not even pronounce the word “Russia”. Double standards at their best," the foreign minister emphasized.
According to Sybiha, Moscow ceased being a reliable oil supplier the moment it launched its aggression against Ukraine.
"And this aggression is the cause of all problems. Regrettably, years of this reality have not been enough for the Orban government to realize this and diversify supplies. We propose them to open their eyes," he added.
We know that the Hungarian side is preparing to complain again about problems with Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline.
— Andrii Sybiha (@andrii_sybiha) February 12, 2026
We can only advise them to approach their “friends” in Moscow with these photos. This is the Druzhba pipeline infrastructure burning after the… pic.twitter.com/Xbn3DGCRkl
Hungary’s dependence on Russian oil
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Hungary has refused to seek alternatives to Russian gas and oil and has continued active trade with Moscow.
Last September, Hungary’s prime minister stated that his country would not abandon Russian oil, claiming alternative sources were less reliable.
In 2025, Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár and Hungary’s Péter Szijjártó complained to the European Commission about Ukrainian strikes on the Druzhba pumping station, which transports Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.
The first attack on Druzhba occurred on August 13, 2025. On August 18, Ukrainian forces struck the Nikolskoye pumping station in Russia’s Tambov region, causing a fire and completely halting oil transit through the pipeline. Drones also hit the Unecha station, stopping oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia.
At the time, Hungary’s foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, threatened to halt electricity exports to Ukraine.
