PM Orbán: Ukrainians are willing to do anything to disrupt Hungary

Hungary has ordered heightened security measures at key energy facilities after a prolonged disruption to crude deliveries through the Druzhba oil pipeline, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán accusing Ukraine of political pressure and warning of further risks to the country’s energy system.

PM Orbán claims the real reason behind the supply stoppage has to be political

In a video message posted on social media following a visit to the refinery in Százhalombatta, Orbán said oil supplies had not resumed since late January and described the stoppage as “unprecedented”. As VG.hu reported, he argued that available information suggested political rather than technical causes, claiming Ukraine was using an oil blockade to exert pressure on Hungary and Slovakia.

In case you missed: Hungary deprived of Russian crude for a month as Ukraine announces fresh postponement – how long will we endure?

Armed forces have been deployed

From Saturday, soldiers and police were deployed to guard the refinery and dozens of other strategic energy sites nationwide. According to Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the government’s Defence Council assessed there was a risk of potential actions targeting Hungary’s energy infrastructure, prompting a staged reinforcement of military protection at multiple critical locations. The Hungarian Defence Forces had already begun relocating personnel to strengthen security.

Have you heard? Orbán on phone with Slovak PM Fico: Hungarian and Slovakian experts may examine the Druzhba oil pipeline.

The debate has been going on for weeks now between Hungary and Ukraine

Kyiv and several European officials dispute Budapest’s interpretation. Ukrainian authorities say the delay stems from severe war-related damage, including destruction of infrastructure linked to the port of Odesa. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated earlier this week that repairs were progressing more slowly than Hungary expected because of the scale of the damage caused by Russian strikes.

In case you missed: Hungarian MOL searches for alternatives after halt of Russian crude deliveries: Adria capacity tests may start soon.

PM Orbán said Hungary prepared well for a situation like this

Speaking separately while attending a basketball match in Szombathely, Orbán said Hungary remained better prepared than during past energy crises, emphasising that strategic reserves had been secured and alternative gas routes were available from the south, writes 24.hu. However, he also warned that energy infrastructure could become a broader wartime target, citing past incidents such as pipeline sabotage in Europe.

The Hungarian government has initiated the release of strategic oil reserves to maintain regional supply. Meanwhile, international reporting, including by Reuters, indicates that both Russian and Ukrainian flows through the pipeline have been affected after an attack on a pumping station in Ukraine.

Featured image: Orbán Viktor/Facebook