Hungary threatens countermeasures against Ukraine over Druzhba pipeline halt
Photo: Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary (Getty Images)
Hungary’s foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, accused Ukraine of blackmail over the halt of Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, according to Szijjártó’s post.
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Ukraine is allegedly politically blackmailing Hungary and Slovakia.
"There are no technical, engineering, or physical reasons why oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline have not been restored. The reason is purely political. The Ukrainians want us to enter the elections with a fuel price of 1,000 forints, helping the Tisza party, but we are not fools," the minister wrote.
He also stated that Hungary "will defend itself" and expressed confidence that oil and fuel supplies to both Hungary and Slovakia will be restored.
"If the Ukrainians continue to interfere, we are ready to take further joint countermeasures," the Hungarian minister added.
Russian oil and the damage to the Druzhba pipeline
Hungary continues to buy Russian oil despite the war in Ukraine and maintains active trade with Russia, without seeking alternative sources of gas or oil.
Last year, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that Budapest does not plan to abandon Russian oil, arguing that other supply options are, in his view, less reliable.
Last year, the foreign ministers of Slovakia and Hungary appealed to the European Commission, complaining about Ukraine’s strikes on the Druzhba pumping station, through which they receive Russian oil.
The first attack on the Druzhba pipeline infrastructure took place on August 13, 2025. On August 18, the Nikolskoye pumping station in Russia’s Tambov region was also hit, causing a fire at the facility and a complete halt of oil pumping.
Today, February 19, it became known that the EU has not issued any demands or deadlines to Ukraine regarding the repair of the Druzhba pipeline.
