Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán took to social media on Thursday, declaring a resolute intent to “break the Ukrainian oil blockade by force.” He emphasized that there would be “no deals, no compromise” in his effort to restore the flow of Russian crude oil to Hungary.
During a speech delivered at Hungary’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Orbán reiterated his determination, saying, “We will break the oil blockade. We will force the Ukrainians to restart deliveries,” in reference to a damaged pipeline that Ukraine claims is beyond repair.
Zelenskyy responds with defiance
In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Orbán’s threats with a mixture of sarcasm and resolve, asserting that the pipeline could indeed be repaired within six weeks. “They [the Russians] are killing us, and we’re supposed to give poor little Orbán oil, because without it he won’t win elections,” he remarked, showcasing the tension between the two leaders.
Zelenskyy further explained that Ukraine’s willingness to repair the pipeline was linked to a pending €90 billion loan from the European Union that Hungary has obstructed. “We hope a certain person in the EU will not keep blocking the 90 billion … and Ukrainian soldiers will have weapons,” he stated, hinting at the political ramifications of the ongoing conflict.
“Otherwise, we will give the address of this person to our armed forces, our guys. Let them call him, speak with him in their own language.”
Political stakes in Hungary
As Hungary prepares for its parliamentary elections on April 12, Orbán faces significant challenges, particularly from his rival, Péter Magyar of the pro-EU Tisza party, who led Orbán by eight percentage points in recent polls. Orbán has anchored his campaign on the narrative of Russia’s war on Ukraine, accusing the Ukrainian government of delaying repairs to the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline. He has claimed that political opposition forces are conspiring with Brussels and Kyiv to cut off Hungary’s access to affordable fuel.
Ukraine alleges that the pipeline has suffered extensive damage due to shelling, yet it is perceived as hesitant to allow Moscow to resume oil revenues from EU countries. Orbán, however, is optimistic, stating, “We will win. We have political and financial tools, and with these we will compel them as soon as possible to reopen the Friendship oil pipeline.” He even enhanced his speech on social media with English subtitles and dramatic music, emphasizing his commitment to the cause.
Veronika Melkozerova contributed to this report.