Orbán threatens to stop gas supplies to Ukraine if Druzhba oil transit is not restored

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has announced that Hungary will wind down gas supplies to Ukraine if the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline is not restored – a disruption that Kyiv and the EU attribute to Russian strikes.

Source: Orbán on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "Gas supplies from Hungary to Ukraine will be gradually suspended, and the volume of gas that remains in Hungary will be stored in Hungary."

Details: Orbán announced that a corresponding proposal will also be submitted at the next government meeting.

According to Orbán, Ukraine is blocking the operation of the Druzhba pipeline. He said Hungary has so far "successfully defended itself against Ukrainian blackmail" and added that, thanks to regulated prices, Hungarians are paying the lowest fuel prices. He said Hungary must "break the oil blockade" and ensure secure energy supplies.

"Until Ukraine provides oil, it will not receive gas from Hungary," the prime minister stressed. He added that Ukraine is also "attacking the southern gas pipeline supplying Hungary", and that Budapest therefore needed to build up reserves. As a result, Hungary will be filling its own gas storage facilities rather than supplying Ukraine's.

"We will protect Hungary's energy security, we will maintain the protected petrol price and the reduced gas price!" he emphasised.

Background:

• The EU welcomed Ukraine's commitment to repair the Druzhba pipeline, which was damaged by a Russian missile, within six weeks. This followed an EU proposal to mobilise funding and technical support to restore oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia.
• On the sidelines of the European Council in Brussels, Orbán declared that Hungary will not unblock any decision favourable to Ukraine until the Druzhba pipeline resumes transporting Russian oil.
• Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó claimed that Ukraine will be forced to restore supplies of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline in April because it is running short of money.

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