BREAKING! Orbán cabinet: a classified national security report on Tisza may soon be released

A classified report discussed by parliament’s National Security Committee and linked by the government to alleged Ukraine-related support for the Tisza Party could soon be declassified, Gergely Gulyás said at Thursday’s Kormányinfó press briefing.

Gergely Gulyás framed the government’s position as a direct response to what he described as an “oil blockade” affecting Hungary’s and Slovakia’s energy security, arguing that an EU candidate country was violating its obligations by endangering supplies to EU member states. “No oil, no money,” he said, adding that Budapest would not back measures ranging from the next EU sanctions package to major EU financial support proposals for Ukraine as long as the pipeline remained closed.

Government links EU summit to Ukraine support decisions

Gulyás said the key item on the cabinet’s agenda at Wednesday’s government meeting had been an assessment of Europe’s situation, noting that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán travelled to Brussels on Wednesday evening for Thursday’s European Council summit.

Although the summit’s official topic is competitiveness, Gulyás claimed “in reality” the meeting would focus on Ukraine — including financial decisions requiring unanimity.

“A political decision”: Hungary blames Zelenskyy for the shutdown

The minister argued the Druzhba pipeline is technically operational, and claimed it was a political decision by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt shipments. In his view, restarting flows would therefore require only a political decision to reopen the route.

Gulyás also said Hungary had offered Ukraine an opportunity in the previous week to show a Hungarian expert delegation what technical problem existed with the pipeline, but alleged that Ukraine did not do so and prevented the delegation from accessing the relevant site. He described this as “telling” and went further, claiming Ukraine was acting in concert with Brussels.

National security committee reportedly briefed on alleged Ukraine-linked support for Tisza

Gulyás also claimed that a report concerning alleged support for the Tisza Party from Ukraine has already been presented to parliament’s National Security Committee.

According to the minister, the committee has already reviewed the document, and its classification could be lifted within 10 days to two weeks, which would make the contents publicly accessible.

He linked the claim to the government’s broader narrative about foreign influence in Hungarian domestic politics, arguing that the issue concerns national sovereignty ahead of the election.

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Three Ukrainians to be banned from Hungary and the Schengen area

Gulyás announced the government had decided to ban three Ukrainian citizens from entering Hungary and the Schengen area.

He said the ban would affect:

• an “Omelchenko”, described as a former Ukrainian intelligence general and politician,
• a major named Karas, described as having been decorated by President Zelenskyy,
• Boris Tisenhausen, described as a Ukrainian political analyst.

Gulyás said the three had allegedly made threats against Hungary, including claims about a possible military attack on the country or threats directed at the prime minister and his family. He argued such statements were incompatible with European norms and therefore justified the bans.

Oil supplies and reserves: “We are in control,” minister says

Gulyás said Hungary has access to oil via the Adria pipeline, and that MOL is seeking to secure the quantities needed for daily consumption. He added that Hungary had recently opened access to strategic oil reserves and that, since that decision, roughly one-fifth of the crude reserve and 3% of fuel reserves had been used.

He said Hungary’s oil reserves would cover roughly three and a half months, and argued that if imports for daily consumption can be secured, reserves would not decline further. Despite the dispute, he insisted Hungary’s long-term energy security remains assured.

Milk producers to receive additional support amid overproduction crisis

Beyond the Ukraine and energy dispute, Gulyás also announced further support for Hungarian dairy farmers, saying Europe faces an overproduction crisis. He said the government would allocate an additional HUF 7 billion (approx. EUR 18.2 million) in support, paying a HUF 15 (approx. EUR 0.04) per-litre premium as a subsidy.

He added that since the end of last year, the dairy sector has already received HUF 38 billion (approx. EUR 98.7 million) in targeted support, with the new package intended to help manage what he described as temporary difficulties.

Petition deadline extended and new investments highlighted

Government spokesperson Eszter Vitályos confirmed that the government has extended the deadline for returning its “national petition” to 8 April, encouraging those who have not yet done so to submit it by post or online.

She also said that in the past week decisions had been made on, or handovers had taken place for, investments worth nearly HUF 59 billion (approx. EUR 153.2 million), including research and development projects and industrial developments, as well as renovations and public works in multiple towns.

US vice president visit: “cannot be ruled out” it could help Fidesz campaign

Asked about the planned visit of the United States vice president, Gulyás said the American leadership and the Republican Party had made it clear they would like to cooperate with Hungary’s current leadership in the next cycle. He added that it “cannot be ruled out” that a personal appearance could be intended to help the Fidesz–KDNP campaign.

What Hungary says it wants from Brussels

Gulyás argued that the EU cannot lawfully disburse the large Ukraine support package referenced at the briefing without Hungary’s approval because unanimity is required. He said that, rather than expecting Hungary to agree while the pipeline remains shut, EU leaders could simply press Ukraine to restart deliveries.

He stressed that Hungary did not believe in promises on this issue and accused Brussels of being an accomplice to Kyiv, while reiterating that Budapest’s position would not change until oil shipments via Druzhba begin and become continuous.

Background for foreign readers: what is Druzhba?

The Druzhba (“Friendship”) pipeline is one of Europe’s major crude oil pipeline systems and a key route for supplies to parts of Central Europe. Hungary has long relied on it as one of its main crude import corridors, alongside alternative routes such as the Adria pipeline.

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