Ukraine accuses Hungary of “double standards” over Druzhba pipeline

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has accused Hungary of applying “double standards” regarding disruptions to Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, following a recent Russian strike that Kyiv says halted supplies.

In a post on X, Sybiha said Budapest was preparing to lodge complaints over problems with oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline. He argued that the disruption was caused by a targeted Russian strike on January 27 that damaged pipeline infrastructure and stopped the flow of oil, Caliber.Az reports. 

"We can only advise them to approach their “friends” in Moscow with these photos. This is the Druzhba pipeline infrastructure burning after the latest targeted Russian strike on January 27th, which stopped the oil transit. By the way, Hungary made no protest to Russia about it. They could not even pronounce the word 'Russia.' Double standards at their best," he wrote on X. 

The Ukrainian minister asserted that Russia ceased to be a reliable energy supplier when it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, calling Moscow’s aggression “the cause of all problems.” He also criticised the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for failing to diversify Hungary’s energy supplies despite repeated disruptions linked to the war.

We know that the Hungarian side is preparing to complain again about problems with Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline.

We can only advise them to approach their “friends” in Moscow with these photos. This is the Druzhba pipeline infrastructure burning after the… pic.twitter.com/Xbn3DGCRkl

— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) February 12, 2026

“We propose them to open their eyes,” Sybiha wrote.

Hungary, which relies heavily on Russian oil delivered through the Druzhba pipeline, has maintained a more conciliatory stance toward Moscow compared to many other European Union member states and has repeatedly voiced concerns about energy security and transit reliability.

The Druzhba Pipeline is one of the biggest crude oil pipeline networks in the world, stretching over 5500 kilometres. The official beginning of the Druzhba network is in Almetyevsk in Russia, where pipelines carrying crude oil from Siberia, the Urals and the Caspian Sea meet. It carries oil to Belarus, where it splits into a northern and a southern branch.

By Sabina Mammadli