Hungary is increasing security at its energy sites as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán accuses Ukraine of threatening his country’s energy supply. Orbán – a vocal ally of President Donald Trump – published a scathing open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing Kiev of pursuing “anti-Hungarian policies.”
“In recent days you have blocked the Friendship oil pipeline, which is crucial for Hungary’s energy supply,” Orbán said. open letterwhich he published on X, read. “Your actions are against Hungarian interests and endanger the safe and affordable energy supply of Hungarian families. I therefore call on you to change your anti-Hungarian policies!”
On Wednesday, Orbán ordered increased security at critical energy infrastructure sites, The Associated Press reported. The prime minister’s order came as Budapest accused Ukraine of blocking the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Russian oil to Hungary but crosses Kiev territory. Ukrainian officials have denied the allegations, according to the AP, saying the pipeline was hit by a Russian drone strike.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán accused Ukraine of blocking his country’s oil supply. (Bernadett Szabo/Reuters; Liesa Johannssen/Reuters)
In a video on social media, Orbán claimed that Ukraine was using an “oil blockade” to pressure Hungary and that Hungarian national security services showed that Ukraine was “preparing further actions to disrupt the functioning of the Hungarian energy system,” the AP reported.
“We will deploy soldiers and the necessary equipment to repel attacks near key energy facilities,” Orbán said, according to the AP. “Police will patrol with increased forces around designated power stations, distribution stations and control centres.”
The accusations against Ukraine also come as Orbán faces the upcoming elections. As the election approaches, Hungary has seen billboards across the country displaying AI-generated images of Zelenskyy extending his hand as if asking for money while surrounded by European officials, the AP said.
The Druzhba oil pipeline between Hungary and Russia is seen at the Danube refinery of Hungary’s MOL Group in Szazhalombatta, Hungary, May 18, 2022. (Bernadett Szabo/File Photo/Reuters)
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Hungary recently threatened to block a proposed 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine – worth around $106 billion – over the Druzhba pipeline blockage.
Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Szijjarto said Friday that “Ukraine is blackmailing its country” and that Kiev was working with Belgium and the Hungarian opposition to “push fuel prices higher before the elections.”
“By blocking oil transit to Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline, Ukraine is violating the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and its obligations to the European Union. We will not give in to this blackmail,” Szijjártó added.
Orbán also accused Ukraine, the Hungarian opposition and Belgium of working together to put pressure on Budapest.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks during a press conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Budapest, Hungary, February 16, 2026. (Alex Brandon, pool/AP photo)
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In the letter released Thursday, Orbán, who has a close relationship with the Kremlin, also said Ukraine had refused “to accept the position of the sovereign Hungarian government and the Hungarian people regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine.” Moreover, he accused Ukraine of trying to force “Hungary” into the war with Russia.
“We, the Hungarian people, are not responsible for the situation Ukraine is in. We sympathize with the Ukrainian people, but we do not want to participate in the war. We do not want to finance the war effort, and we do not want to pay more for energy,” Orbán wrote.
The Hungarian Prime Minister ended his letter by demanding that Ukraine reopen the oil pipeline and “refrain from further attacks on Hungary’s energy security,” as well as a demand for “greater respect for Hungary.”
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