Hungarian PM claims Ukraine behind Nord Stream blast, Druzhba halt

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has accused Ukraine of sabotaging the Nord Stream gas pipeline and of halting oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, Hungary’s news agency MTI reports.

Speaking on the dispute over energy supplies, Orbán alleged that those responsible for blocking the Druzhba oil pipeline were the same actors behind the explosion of Nord Stream. “Those who blocked the Druzhba oil pipeline are the same people who blew up Nord Stream. It was the Ukrainians,” he said.

The Hungarian leader argued that Brussels should back Hungary and Slovakia in their disagreement with Kyiv over the Druzhba pipeline. He maintained that, under agreements between the European Union and Ukraine, Kyiv must not take actions that endanger the energy security of EU member states — a condition he claims is currently being violated.

Orbán further asserted that there are no technical obstacles preventing the resumption of oil transit through Druzhba. “There are no technical obstacles to the Ukrainians resuming oil transportation. This is not up for discussion; it is a statement of fact,” he said, adding that the European Union has an obligation to protect Hungary and Slovakia.

He also warned that relations between Budapest and Kyiv are likely to remain strained until the end of the war in Ukraine. “Ukraine’s attempts to create chaos in Hungary’s energy sector, to force us — together with other EU countries — to finance it are hostile steps toward us,” Orbán said. “But once the war ends, this will stop, and it will be possible to return to diplomatic, economic and other relations under normal conditions.”

By Vafa Guliyeva