Orbán defies all of Europe: Budapest seeks to assist Moscow with oil

Also read: Spanish involvement allows Russian oil tanker to bypass sanctions

Hungary has officially requested that the Croatian government facilitate the transport of Russian oil via the Adria pipeline.

The joint letter to Zagreb was sent by Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Saková.

"We are asking Croatia to ensure the transport of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia through the Adria pipeline, as our sanctions exemption allows us to import Russian oil by sea in case of pipeline supply disruptions," Szijjártó wrote.

According to him, energy security should not become a subject of ideological disputes.

Reason for route change

Transit via the Druzhba pipeline through Ukraine was halted at the end of last month due to large-scale Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

For Budapest, this route remains a key supply source, as the country has no access to the sea.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has repeatedly stressed the importance of maintaining Russian energy imports.

The energy topic is also expected to be discussed during his meeting with Marco Rubio on February 16.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has voiced support for Budapest’s position, claiming that Ukraine is using the Druzhba pipeline as a political tool—a charge that Kyiv rejects.

Meanwhile, China, Russia’s largest oil importer, announced it would provide another energy aid package to Ukraine, with funds directed to restore infrastructure damaged by Russian strikes.

Global oil prices recorded their first weekly decline in 2026 amid growing pessimism in the energy market. Prices dropped sharply, affecting exchanges, pressuring oil companies, and drawing close attention from consumers assessing potential fuel cost changes.