Hungary–Ukraine Dispute Over the Druzhba (Friendship) Oil Pipeline Intensifies Budapest accuses Kyiv of jeopardizing EU member states’ energy security as tensions spill into Brussels

Budapest accuses Kyiv of jeopardizing EU member states’ energy security as tensions spill into Brussels

A diplomatic dispute between Hungary and Ukraine over the operation of the Druzhba (Barátság) oil pipeline has escalated in recent weeks, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán publicly accusing Ukraine of disrupting oil deliveries and calling on the European Union to defend the energy security of its member states.

The Druzhba pipeline, one of the world’s longest oil pipeline systems, has historically delivered Russian crude oil to Central Europe, including Hungary and Slovakia. The southern branch of the pipeline runs through Ukraine before reaching refineries in these countries. The pipeline remains a key component of Hungary’s energy infrastructure, particularly for the MOL refinery in Százhalombatta.

What Triggered the Dispute

According to reporting by Hungary’s state news agency MTI, Orbán stated at a recent press conference that “those who shut off the Druzhba oil pipeline were the Ukrainians,” arguing there were no technical obstacles to resuming deliveries. He framed the issue as a factual matter rather than a technical malfunction and called on the European Union to intervene on behalf of Hungary and Slovakia.

Orbán’s remarks followed interruptions or restrictions affecting oil transit through Ukraine, though international reporting has described the situation as complex and intertwined with broader sanctions regimes and wartime energy measures.

Ukraine has not officially confirmed a deliberate shutdown framed in the same way as Hungarian statements. In previous disputes over energy transit since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Kyiv has maintained that transit decisions are shaped by security, legal, and sanction-related considerations.

Background: Sanctions and Exemptions

Hungary has continued to receive Russian crude via Druzhba under EU sanctions exemptions negotiated in 2022, which allow certain landlocked countries to maintain pipeline imports while maritime imports of Russian oil are banned under EU sanctions.

Reuters has previously reported that Hungary secured exemptions within the EU sanctions package to preserve pipeline deliveries, arguing that the country’s energy system cannot be quickly restructured without severe economic consequences.

The Hungarian government has repeatedly stated that energy security is a national sovereignty issue and that abrupt supply disruptions could undermine economic stability. Orbán reiterated this position in Washington, linking the Druzhba issue to broader European responsibilities.

EU Dimension: A Test of Solidarity?

Orbán has argued that Ukraine’s actions—or restrictions affecting transit—violate the spirit of cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union, particularly at a time when Kyiv seeks closer EU integration. He has suggested that the EU should defend the interests of Hungary and Slovakia in ensuring uninterrupted energy flows.

In Brussels, however, the issue is politically sensitive. The European Commission has consistently sought to reduce EU dependence on Russian fossil fuels under the REPowerEU strategy. At the same time, it has acknowledged the technical limitations faced by certain member states.

As of the most recent reporting, the European Commission has not announced formal infringement proceedings or emergency intervention specifically tied to this latest Hungarian–Ukrainian dispute. EU officials have generally framed energy transit challenges in the context of broader war-related instability.

Hungary’s Position

Hungary argues that pipeline transit through Ukraine should remain operational regardless of political disagreements, given that the crude is destined for EU member states under lawful exemptions. Budapest maintains that its energy imports comply with EU sanctions and that Ukraine, as a transit country, has obligations under international energy transit norms. Hungarian officials have emphasized that Hungary’s refinery infrastructure is heavily configured for Russian crude, making short-term diversification technically and economically difficult.

Ukraine’s Broader Wartime Energy Context

Since 2022, Ukraine’s energy infrastructure—including pipelines, power plants, and grid facilities—has faced repeated attacks amid the war with Russia. Transit operations have therefore occurred in a volatile security environment.

In previous episodes involving energy transit disputes, Kyiv has argued that certain transit constraints were related to legal disputes with Russian suppliers or physical damage to infrastructure rather than political retaliation.

International coverage has consistently stressed that energy flows in the region are influenced by sanctions compliance, contractual disputes, security threats, and geopolitical pressure simultaneously.

Strategic Implications

The Druzhba dispute underscores the fragile balance between EU sanctions policy, Ukraine’s wartime sovereignty decisions, and Hungary’s energy dependence. It also highlights the growing tension between Budapest and Kyiv amid diverging political narratives about the war and EU solidarity. For Hungary, uninterrupted oil supply is presented as a non-negotiable economic priority. For Ukraine, energy transit intersects with wartime security and broader geopolitical leverage. At this stage, no formal EU arbitration decision or binding resolution has been publicly reported regarding the latest phase of the dispute. The matter remains politically charged, with statements from Budapest drawing international attention but limited detailed technical clarification from either side.