Diesel Shipments Tied to Pipeline Dispute
Hungary has suspended diesel deliveries to neighboring Ukraine as disruptions to Russian crude supplies through the Druzhba pipeline remain unresolved, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced Wednesday.
Oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia have been interrupted since January 27. Ukrainian authorities say Russian attacks damaged the pipeline, which transports Russian crude across Ukrainian territory into Central Europe. Budapest and Bratislava, however, have suggested Kyiv is deliberately delaying the resumption of shipments, though no evidence has been publicly presented. Ukrainian officials have denied those claims.
In a video statement shared on social media, Szijjártó described the stoppage as the result of a “political decision” by Ukraine’s president. He added that Hungary holds sufficient reserves to cover domestic needs for more than three months, stressing that national energy security is not immediately at risk.
Energy Exemptions and EU Tensions
Hungary and Slovakia remain among the few European Union member states still receiving Russian oil under temporary exemptions to the EU’s embargo on seaborne crude imports from Russia. Since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, most European countries have reduced or eliminated Russian energy purchases.
Hungary, however, has maintained and in some cases increased its imports of Russian oil and gas. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has repeatedly argued that Russian fossil fuels are essential to Hungary’s economy and that replacing them quickly would impose severe economic costs. Some energy analysts dispute that assessment, noting diversification options available within the region.
Orbán has also been one of the most vocal critics inside the EU of sanctions targeting Russian energy revenues, which are seen by many European leaders as a key source of funding for Moscow’s war effort.
Political Context and Regional Alternatives
The energy dispute unfolds as Orbán prepares for what is expected to be a highly competitive general election in April after more than 16 years in power. His government has intensified criticism of both Ukraine and EU institutions, portraying regional instability and Brussels’ policies as threats to Hungary’s security and economic stability.
Following the Druzhba disruption, Hungary asked Croatia to facilitate alternative deliveries via the Adria pipeline, which carries oil from the Adriatic Sea to refineries in Hungary and Slovakia. Croatia’s Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar signaled that his country would not allow Central Europe’s energy security to be compromised but resisted Hungary’s request.
In a post on X earlier this week, Šušnjar said there were no technical barriers preventing EU countries from reducing dependence on Russian crude. He argued that energy purchases from Russia continue to support Moscow’s military operations.