Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has made allegations against Ukraine, claiming that it is resorting to blackmail in relation to the Druzhba oil pipeline. He stated that due to transit issues caused by Ukraine, Hungary would need to consider utilizing its strategic oil reserves. Orbán emphasized that this issue was of such importance that it would be the primary topic at an upcoming cabinet meeting. The tensions surrounding this oil supply are indicative of broader political relations between Hungary and Ukraine.

The Druzhba oil pipeline has historically been a significant route for transporting oil from Russia to Europe, and disruptions in this supply chain have profound implications not only for Hungary, which is heavily reliant on energy imports but also for broader regional energy security. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó noted that, in response to these supply challenges, the Hungarian company MOL is exploring alternative methods to ensure oil deliveries, including ordering shipments via the sea from Croatia.

The situation reflects heightened tensions in regional politics, particularly with Hungary's close ties to Russia contrasting starkly with Ukraine's geopolitical stance. The accusations of blackmail from Orbán also come amid strained diplomatic relations, and they underline the complex interdependencies in energy supply and national politics within the region.