BUDAPEST, Hungary — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly rejected demands from Hungary and Slovakia to repair a critical Russian oil pipeline damaged by military strikes, escalating a political confrontation that now threatens European Union financial support for Ukraine’s war effort.
The Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian crude through Ukrainian territory to Central European nations, has been non-operational since January 27 following what Ukrainian authorities identify as Russian drone attacks. The interruption has triggered a diplomatic crisis with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak leadership, who continue importing Russian fossil fuels contrary to most EU members.
During a Thursday press briefing, Zelenskyy expressed firm resistance to restoring the pipeline despite mounting pressure. “To be honest, I wouldn’t restore it. This is my position,” the Ukrainian leader stated, emphasizing that repair operations would endanger technicians while leaving the infrastructure vulnerable to continued Russian targeting.
The Orbán government, widely regarded as Moscow’s closest ally within the EU, has retaliated by blocking a crucial €90 billion EU loan package destined for Ukraine’s defense against Russian invasion. Budapest has vowed to veto all future pro-Ukraine decisions until oil shipments resume.
With Hungary facing pivotal elections next month, Orbán has intensified an aggressive campaign framing Ukraine as an existential threat. Speaking at an economic forum, the Hungarian leader declared: “We will win and we will win with force in this feud. We have political and financial tools to compel them unconditionally to reopen the pipeline.”
Both Hungary and Slovakia have proposed deploying inspectors to assess pipeline damage in western Ukraine. Zelenskyy acknowledged anticipating formal EU requests for access but maintained his opposition to resuming Russian oil transfers.
The Ukrainian president pointedly questioned the moral calculus of the situation: “This is Russian oil, and there are certain principles that have no price. They kill us, and we have to give oil to Orbán because he cannot win elections without it?”
The standoff represents a significant fracture in European unity regarding Ukraine support, with Orbán leveraging Hungary’s EU membership to advance Moscow-aligned positions while Zelenskyy prioritizes military security over diplomatic concessions.