Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has reaffirmed his opposition to European Union financial assistance for Ukraine, stating that Budapest will maintain its veto until Russian oil resumes flowing to Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline via Ukraine.
In a letter addressed to European Council President Antonio Costa — which Orbán also published on social media — he wrote:
“Facts are facts. There are no technical obstacles to resuming transfers through the ‘Druzhba’ pipeline to Hungary. It only requires a political decision from Ukraine.”
Russian oil supplies to Hungary via the pipeline have been halted since late January. Ukrainian officials claim the disruption was caused by damage resulting from Russian attacks.
However, the Hungarian government argues that the pipeline remains intact and accuses Kyiv of deliberately blocking the flow for political reasons.
Orbán described the situation as absurd:
“You also see the absurdity of the situation. We make a financially favorable decision for Ukraine — which I personally do not support — then Ukraine creates an energy emergency situation in Hungary, and you ask me to pretend nothing happened. That is not possible,” he wrote to Costa.
“I am not in a position to support any decision favorable to Ukraine until normal conditions are restored,” he emphasized.
Orbán has long maintained close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he has repeatedly sought to block EU sanctions against Moscow and financial aid for Kyiv.
This week, Hungary and Slovakia refused to approve the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia, as well as a proposed €90 billion ($105 billion) financial assistance plan for Ukraine.
