Hungary accuses Ukraine of implementing an "oil blockade" and deploying troops to critical energy facilities

According to CCTV News, on Thursday, February 26, local time, Hungarian Prime Minister Orban posted an open letter to Ukrainian President Zelensky on social media. Orban accused Ukraine of “trying to drag Hungary into the Russia-Ukraine war over the past four years” and called on Zelensky to change its anti-Hungary policies and immediately open the “Friendship” oil pipeline.

Orban stated that since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began, Ukraine has attempted to involve Hungary in the conflict and interfere in Hungary’s internal affairs. Hungary is unwilling to participate in or fund the war, nor to pay more for energy. Ukraine’s actions violate Hungarian interests and threaten Hungary’s energy supply.

Recently, Orban has been continuously strengthening political statements around energy and national security. The day before, Orban pointed out that Ukraine has delayed the restart of the “Friendship” oil pipeline, implementing a so-called “oil blockade” against Hungary. This pipeline transports Russian crude oil to Hungary and neighboring Slovakia.

A month ago, Ukraine shut down the pipeline, claiming it was damaged by Russian attacks. However, Hungary accused Ukraine of deliberately keeping it closed for “political” rather than “technical” reasons.

“Ukraine is applying pressure on Hungary and Slovakia through an oil blockade, and they will not stop there. They are preparing further actions to disrupt Hungary’s energy system.” However, Orban did not provide further details or evidence.

Orban claimed that he has ordered increased protection of critical energy infrastructure, which means deploying troops and necessary equipment near important energy facilities to respond to potential attacks.

“The police will also step up patrols around designated power plants, substations, and control centers.” He also announced a ban on drone flights in the northeastern border area bordering Ukraine.

As an EU member state, Hungary and Slovakia continue to import Russian oil and gas despite the EU’s efforts to restrict or even ban Russian energy imports. Both countries say their economies and populations are highly dependent on affordable Russian energy supplies.

Their relations with Russia are not limited to energy. Hungarian Prime Minister Orban and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico maintain good relations with Russian President Putin, while their relations with Ukrainian President Zelensky are relatively cold.

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, Hungary and Slovakia have repeatedly opposed EU sanctions against Russia. This week, the two countries again blocked the EU from imposing further punitive measures on Russia on the fourth anniversary of the war.

They stated that their veto was due to the interruption of Russian oil transportation through the “Friendship” pipeline via Ukraine. Both countries have close ties with Russia and are cautious about sanctions, which has led to tensions with the EU. They accuse the EU of neglecting their energy security needs.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó further stated on Wednesday that Europe has ignored what he called Ukraine’s sabotage of Russian-European energy infrastructure, such as the explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipelines connecting Russia and Germany.

Ukraine denies involvement in the pipeline damage, but German investigators say the perpetrators are Ukrainians.

Szijjártó pointed out, “The people who cut off the ‘Friendship’ oil pipeline today are the same ones who blew up the Nord Stream pipelines years ago. This is the reality, and we cannot allow such things to happen.”