Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Hungary accused Ukraine of undermining its sovereignty after strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline disrupted flows from Russia to Hungary and Slovakia, prompting sharp exchanges between Budapest and Kyiv.
Hungary has implicitly threatened to cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine following a diplomatic crisis over the Druzhba oil pipeline.
The pipeline, originating in Russia, transports oil to Central Europe via Ukraine and Belarus.
Hungary and Slovakia remain the only European Union countries still receiving significant volumes of Russian oil, having secured exemptions from the bloc’s sanctions on Russian exports.
Other countries also rely on the Druzhba pipeline for oil, such as Germany, which receives shipments from Kazakhstan.
The crisis began when a central distribution station in Russia’s Bryansk region was struck, temporarily halting oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia.
Ukraine carried out a second strike on the pipeline on Monday, this time at the Nikolskoye pumping station in Russia’s Tambov region.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó condemned the Ukrainian attacks on the pipeline, calling them “outrageous and unacceptable,” and wrote: “Whoever attacks our energy security is in fact attacking our sovereignty.” Szijjártó said Russia’s energy minister had informed him that experts were working to restore the Nikolskoye station and accused Ukraine of attempting to drag Hungary into the war.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha responded, reminding Szijjártó that it was Russia that launched and refuses to end the war, while accusing Budapest of failing to reduce its energy dependence on Moscow.
“Now you can send your complaints—and your threats—to your friends in Moscow,” Sybiha wrote.
Szijjártó intensified his criticism of Ukraine, adding a veiled threat: “A reminder to Ukrainian decision-makers: electricity from Hungary plays a vital role in supplying your country’s energy.”
The European Commission stated yesterday that it had been in contact with Hungary and Slovakia on the matter.
“We do not have clear information on who attacked the connection line; however, we emphasize the importance of safeguarding energy security.
What matters is that the suspension does not affect the security of supply, which is always a top priority for the European Commission,” it said.
According to reports, oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia through the pipeline resumed this morning.
The pipeline, originating in Russia, transports oil to Central Europe via Ukraine and Belarus.
Hungary and Slovakia remain the only European Union countries still receiving significant volumes of Russian oil, having secured exemptions from the bloc’s sanctions on Russian exports.
Other countries also rely on the Druzhba pipeline for oil, such as Germany, which receives shipments from Kazakhstan.
The crisis began when a central distribution station in Russia’s Bryansk region was struck, temporarily halting oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia.
Ukraine carried out a second strike on the pipeline on Monday, this time at the Nikolskoye pumping station in Russia’s Tambov region.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó condemned the Ukrainian attacks on the pipeline, calling them “outrageous and unacceptable,” and wrote: “Whoever attacks our energy security is in fact attacking our sovereignty.” Szijjártó said Russia’s energy minister had informed him that experts were working to restore the Nikolskoye station and accused Ukraine of attempting to drag Hungary into the war.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha responded, reminding Szijjártó that it was Russia that launched and refuses to end the war, while accusing Budapest of failing to reduce its energy dependence on Moscow.
“Now you can send your complaints—and your threats—to your friends in Moscow,” Sybiha wrote.
Szijjártó intensified his criticism of Ukraine, adding a veiled threat: “A reminder to Ukrainian decision-makers: electricity from Hungary plays a vital role in supplying your country’s energy.”
The European Commission stated yesterday that it had been in contact with Hungary and Slovakia on the matter.
“We do not have clear information on who attacked the connection line; however, we emphasize the importance of safeguarding energy security.
What matters is that the suspension does not affect the security of supply, which is always a top priority for the European Commission,” it said.
According to reports, oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia through the pipeline resumed this morning.
