Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán accused Ukraine of deliberately endangering Hungary’s energy security by halting oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, claiming there are no technical obstacles preventing its operation.

Speaking at a press conference in Washington, Orbán stated,“The Druzhba oil pipeline is operational. There is no technical obstacle whatsoever to the Ukrainians restarting oil transport." He further alleged that “those who shut down the Druzhba pipeline are the ones who blew up Nord Stream.”

Orbán argued that under the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement, Ukraine must not take measures that threaten the energy security of EU member states, adding that Hungary and Slovakia have been placed at risk.

Energy dispute tied to broader geopolitical rift

The Hungarian leader also criticized European leadership, claiming that while the United States is pursuing peace initiatives and engaging in dialogue with Russia, European leaders have opted to continue the war.

“My firm statement is that they have made a decision that the Russians must be defeated on Ukrainian territory. This does not point in the direction of peace, but toward war,” Orbán said.

He urged the European Commission to defend Hungary and Slovakia’s contractual rights and to formally question Ukraine over what he described as a breach of obligations.

Domestic political stakes

Orbán linked the dispute to Hungary’s upcoming elections, alleging that Ukraine has an interest in influencing Hungary’s domestic political landscape.

“Ukraine is interested in there being chaos in Hungary,” Orbán declared, arguing that Kiev would prefer a government more aligned with its policies.

He concluded by framing the election as a choice between maintaining Hungary’s current course or shifting toward a “Ukraine-friendly government,” saying the outcome could determine whether Hungarian resources and citizens become further entangled in the war.

Orbán has consistently maintained that Russian fossil fuels are vital to Hungary’s economy, warning that replacing them with alternative energy sources would trigger an immediate economic crisis — a claim that some experts challenge.

Hungary threatens to cut power, gas exports to Kiev over oil dispute

Hungary is considering halting electricity and gas exports to Ukraine unless Kiev resumes Russian oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, said on Thursday.

The warning follows a disruption in oil flows on January 27 after what Ukraine described as a Russian drone attack that damaged pipeline infrastructure. Hungary and Slovakia, the only EU states still refining Russian crude via Druzhba, have accused Kiev of delaying the restart for political reasons.

Gulyas also revealed the nation was considering the option of stopping power and has shipments to Ukraine, adding that Budapest is coordinating closely with Slovakia.