Hungary’s security and energy supply are paramount national interests that transcend party politics and represent a shared responsibility, Péter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza Party, said in an official letter to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Monday.
Péter Magyar proposed a joint inspection together with Orbán in Ukraine
In his letter, Magyar proposed that the prime minister join him in personally inspecting the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline to assess the actual situation, with the country’s energy security in mind. He said Hungarians rightly expected their leaders to make decisions based on facts and transparency, “not through Facebook posts and propaganda”.
If the external security threat was as severe as the prime minister insisted, national unity was essential, Magyar said, signalling his readiness to participate in such efforts. Magyar said that as leader of “Hungary’s strongest political force and a candidate preparing to govern”, he had coordinated with allies abroad and stood ready to represent Hungary’s interests unitedly. He added that Orbán could similarly leverage his international relationships to engage with key partners.
Magyar argued that if the threat was “real and immediate”, Orbán, as a responsible prime minister still in office, should invoke NATO’s Article 4, allowing allies to jointly assess any danger to Hungary’s territorial integrity, political independence and security. Such a move would send a clear and reassuring message to both Hungarians and allies, he added.
Stop fearmongering
He urged Orbán to “immediately cease fearmongering and stoking panic”, warning that public security “should not be used as a campaign tool”.
“There are limits to the political battles: the mental well-being of our children and the peace of our elderly must not become casualties of partisan campaigns,” he said. If the threat were genuine, he added, responsible governance demanded cooperation, national unity, honest communication, and collective action. Otherwise, Magyar said, Orbán should “refrain from exploiting fear for political gain against his own people.”
High fuel prices
“Hungary’s security is our common cause,” he said, calling for all necessary information to be shared transparently with each other and the public in the time left until the election with a view to safeguarding the country and its citizens.
Meanwhile, Magyar said petrol prices in Hungary were now higher than in Austria, Czechia, Poland and even Bulgaria, attributing this to “the government’s repeated increases in fuel taxes”. He demanded an immediate reduction in VAT and excise duties on petrol to prevent further price increases.
‘Shame on those who make political theatre’ out of Druzhba pipeline issue, Orbán says
Addressing opposition leader Péter Magyar on Monday, the prime minister said anyone who only managed to make political theatre out of the Druzhba oil pipeline issue “should be ashamed of himself”. Viktor Orbán was responding to a letter by Magyar regarding the issue.
In a video uploaded to Facebook, Orbán said: “Let’s drop the charade; everybody knows the facts.” He insisted that everybody knew the Druzhba pipeline was is being blocked for political reasons. “That’s why they won’t allow Hungarian and Slovak inspectors in.”
“Everybody knows that President Volodymyr Zelensky is seeking to topple the Hungarian government through his blockade,” Orbán said. “We also know that Zelensky is working to help a government to power that would meet Kyiv’s expectations — this is why they timed all this for the election campaign,” Orbán said.
“What Ukraine is doing is in the interest of instigating a change of government, in the interest of Péter Magyar and his Tisza Party,” he said. Meanwhile, the government “is working to the benefit of Hungarians,” the prime minister added.
If you missed:
- Orbán on phone with Slovak PM Fico: Hungarian and Slovakian experts may examine the Druzhba oil pipeline
- MOL scandal: executives make billion-forint profits following Druzhba pipeline halt
Well said!
Orban announced yesterday that he would present evidence today, Monday, proving that the reasons Ukraine isn’t supplying oil are purely political. I’m still waiting for that evidence!
Orban’s argument is far-fetched, because the oil problem only benefits him, as he constantly repeats and sensationalizes the issue, presenting himself as the nation’s savior.
This puts the opposition on the defensive more than necessary, while Orban, with his constant but so far unproven claims, distracts from Hungary’s real problems and tries to spread panic.
At the same time, he calls the opposition “unpatriotic traitors” who are plotting a conspiracy with Ukraine, Germany, and the EU against Hungary and himself.
Where is the advantage for the opposition in this? They would only be shooting themselves in the foot if they actually did that.
Well said by Magyar Peter. Orban has been fear mongering and stoking panic for political purposes instead of seeking dialogue and cooperation. Hungary deserves better leadership.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky during a press conference potrolled Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban over his statements about the state of the Druzhba oil pipeline.
“You can see technical reservoirs into the satellite. There is one big tank ruptured. That’s what you can see. You can’t see the remote in the satellite. Perhaps Orban is a magician that he underground was able to see the state of the oil pipeline through satellites. I am surprised, but nevertheless, everything happens,” the Ukrainian president said.
Zelensky also commented on the demands of Hungary and Slovakia to restore Druzhba. He noted that the price of such restoration is the lives of Ukrainians, because the Russians constantly repeatedly repeatedly strike energy facilities.
“Has anyone heard from Orban or from Fico that we are very grateful to Ukraine or very sorry for the families, relatives, loved ones who suffered? Not a single word. Except that we owe them again,” he noted.
The Ukrainian president confirmed that Fico had agreed to a personal meeting and added that he was expecting the Slovak prime minister in Ukraine.
“Our team has handed over the dates for the meeting from March 6-9 – choose the date. Media feedback we heard “let’s meet in some state”. In which state should I meet with Fico? Where is the Druzhba oil pipeline? In Ukraine. I invited him – he confirmed that he will come, welcome!”, – said Zelensky.