Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has sought assistance from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in investigating damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline, a key artery for Russian oil shipments to Europe, as tensions rise over energy supplies and the ongoing war in Ukraine. The request comes amid accusations and counter-accusations between Hungary and Ukraine regarding the cause of the disruption.
On Saturday, Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, stated he had been contacted by Lázár János with a request to call Zelenskyy. “I don’t have his number, and as far as I was aware, we weren’t the government yet,” Magyar said during a campaign stop in Sárbogárd. Magyar also revealed he visited the Carpathian region and Kyiv in the summer of 2024, delivering humanitarian aid.
“Since no one knows exactly what the reality is with the Druzhba pipeline, I offer to go with Prime Minister Orbán, who is leaving office, if he is too afraid to go alone. Let’s seem at the pipeline, ask the Ukrainians to show us where it was damaged, and see how You can assist rebuild it, and when oil deliveries to Hungary can resume,” Magyar stated.
Magyar also addressed the escalating situation in the Middle East, noting a recent strike on a hotel in Dubai. He emphasized the large number of Hungarian citizens in the region and asserted the government’s responsibility to assist them in leaving “this war zone as quickly as possible.” He further urged the government to negotiate with both Russia and Ukraine to restore oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline. “If my presence is needed to start governing now, I will approach with you, just let me know,” Magyar messaged Orbán.
The Hungarian government has maintained that disruptions to oil shipments through the pipeline are a result of actions by Ukraine, following an alleged damaging attack at the end of January. Ukraine attributes the halt in deliveries to significant technical consequences from the attack, requiring extensive repairs. Orbán sent an open letter to Zelenskyy on February 26th, but according to reports, has only received a response through the summoning of the embassy’s chargé d’affaires twice, where he claims he was given unsatisfactory explanations.
As a consequence of the halted oil supply, Hungary has suspended deliveries of diesel fuel, blocked the disbursement of EU financial aid, and threatened to limit electricity exports. On Friday, February 27th, Orbán announced the formation of a joint investigation committee with Slovakia to examine the pipeline issue.
The dispute underscores Hungary’s reliance on Russian oil and its complex relationship with Ukraine amid the broader geopolitical tensions in the region.
