As noted by the X social network, the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán stressed that the Druzhba oil pipeline’s importance has doubled in light of events in Iran.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, after Israel and the United States’ strikes on Iran and Iran’s actions toward Israel and the countries of the Middle East, stated that for his country it is even more important to obtain Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline.
According to media reports, Orbán stressed that events in the region compel a rethink of energy-supply priorities.
“The war involving Iran has doubled the importance of the Druzhba pipeline. I once again urge President Zelensky to immediately restore oil supplies to Hungary”
– Viktor Orbán
Regional Context and Hungary’s Position
In remarks, Orban noted that changes in the Middle East could force a revision of the energy-import scheme and take into account the state’s need for stable supplies.
“And we need to find a way to ease this. That’s why cheap oil from Russia, which goes via the Druzhba pipeline, is so important”
– Viktor Orbán
Chronicle of Actions and Official Statements
Early on February 27, Orbán announced consultations with his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico because “another day has passed and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has still not resumed oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline.”
The day before, on February 26, Orbán posted on X an open letter and a video address to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which he accused Kyiv of blocking the Druzhba pipeline and urged “greater respect for Hungary.”
According to media reports, on February 25 Orbán appealed to the European Union to conduct a “fact-finding mission” to assess damage to the Druzhba in Ukraine and suggested that this could help unblock new EU funding for Ukraine.
Slovakia and Hungary block approval of the 20th package of sanctions against Russia and the multi-billion-euro loan to Ukraine, which EU leaders agreed at the December summit. Both countries have vowed to veto until the transport of Russian crude via the Druzhba pipeline is restored.
Ukrainian officials say the pipeline was damaged as a result of Russian shelling at the end of January. Hungarian and Slovak representatives deny these claims.
On February 23, the European Commission confirmed that Russia destroyed the Druzhba pipeline, while noting Ukraine’s obligation to repair it. The timelines for restoration depend on the Ukrainian side.
After the start of the full-scale invasion, the European Union banned the import of Russian oil. For Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria, Austria managed to diversify oil supplies and obtain a deferral for those countries that have no access to the sea and are fully dependent on the Druzhba pipeline.
The Druzhba pipeline – transiting through Ukrainian territory – ensures the transport of Russian oil to Europe, including to Hungary and Slovakia. According to CREA (Center for Energy Studies and Clean Air) and the CSD (Bulgarian Center for the Study of Democracy), imports of Russian crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia from 2022–2024 brought the Kremlin 5.4 billion euros, equivalent to the cost of about 1,800 Iskander-M missiles.
“There are signs of criminal offenses in their actions, governed by Art. 345 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code ‘Threats or violence against a law enforcement officer’ and Art. 194 ‘Deliberate destruction or damage to property’.”
– Press Service of the National Police