Orban blocks EU Ukraine decisions until oil transit via Druzhba resumes

2026-02-24 - 12:22

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared Tuesday he cannot support any EU decision favorable to Ukraine until oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary resumes, publishing a letter to European Council President Antonio Costa. Orban wrote there are "no technical obstacles to restarting the oil transfer" but that the matter requires "a political decision by Ukraine." "Absurd Situation" Orban stated Hungary had previously supported financially favorable decisions for Ukraine within the EU framework but called the current situation untenable. "As you are aware, I am one of the most disciplined and consistent members of the European Council. I fully understand your concerns. But you also certainly see the absurdity of the situation: we take a decision financially favourable to Ukraine that I personally disapprove, then Ukraine creates an energy emergency situation in Hungary, and you ask me to pretend that nothing happened. This is not possible." He added he is "not in a position to support any decision whatsoever favourable to Ukraine until they return to normality." Timing and Context The letter's release coincides with the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war's start, and follows Monday's EU announcement that it failed to reach a deal on a new Russia sanctions package—opposed by Hungary and Slovakia. Orban's stance highlights growing intra-EU divisions over Ukraine policy as energy security concerns clash with solidarity commitments.