politics
March 4, 2026
Orban calls on von der Leyen to pressure Zelensky to restore oil transit from Russia
The Hungarian PM said that he had sent a letter to Brussels
TL;DR
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to pressure Ukraine to resume Russian oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline.
- Orban sent a letter to Brussels stating Ukraine is obligated to comply with agreements and not jeopardize EU energy security.
- Ukraine's President Zelensky reportedly stated he does not intend to reopen the pipeline.
- Orban proposed sending experts from Hungary and Slovakia to Ukraine to verify the pipeline's operational status.
- Hungary will not support EU decisions favoring Ukraine until oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline is reestablished.
- Russian oil has not flowed to Hungary since January 27.
- Budapest claims the pipeline is restored and Kiev is blocking it for political reasons.
- In retaliation, Hungary ceased supplying Ukraine with diesel fuel and refused to allow the EU to provide a €90 billion military loan.
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