Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced a gradual halt to gas exports to Ukraine, stating that this decision will remain in effect until Kyiv resumes oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline. Orbán confirmed in a video posted on social media after a cabinet meeting that the remaining gas will be stored in Hungary instead of being supplied to Ukraine.
Orbán explained, "We will gradually stop gas supplies from Hungary to Ukraine, and we will store the remaining gas at home," adding that "as long as Ukraine does not resume oil supplies, we will not supply it with gas from Hungary."
Details of the Situation
Orbán's announcement comes at a time when tensions are escalating between Hungary and Ukraine due to disagreements over the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. The pipeline was damaged due to a Russian strike in late February and has not yet been repaired. Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of using this issue to gain political leverage, while Ukraine indicates that repairs could take up to six weeks.
Orbán also claimed that his government accuses Ukraine of attempting to provoke an energy crisis ahead of the general elections scheduled for April 12, aiming to undermine his administration. He emphasized that Hungary also needs to bolster its natural gas reserves following Ukrainian attacks on the TurkStream pipeline, which transports Russian gas through Turkey to Hungary.
Background & Context
The roots of the Druzhba pipeline date back to the Soviet era, making it one of the most important oil transport lines in Europe. It was designed to transport Russian oil to Central and Eastern European countries. As tensions rise between Russia and Ukraine, this pipeline has become a focal point for political and economic disputes among the involved nations. The damage to the pipeline has complicated the economic situation in the region, where many countries rely on Russian oil and gas supplies.
At the same time, Ukraine is seeking to reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuels and has urged Hungary and Slovakia to sever their ties with Russia in this regard. However, both Hungary and Slovakia continue to import significant amounts of oil and gas from Russia, further complicating the situation.
Impact & Consequences
This move by Hungary could exacerbate the economic conditions in Ukraine, which heavily relies on gas imported from Hungary. According to reports from the Ukrainian company ExPro, Ukraine imported over 2.9 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Hungary in 2025, accounting for 45% of its total imports. Therefore, the halt in supplies could place Ukraine in a difficult position under the current circumstances.
Moreover, the dispute over the Druzhba pipeline could delay the disbursement of the €90 billion European aid package, which represents vital support for Ukraine amid the challenging economic conditions it faces. This situation reflects the increasing tensions among European countries regarding how to handle the crises stemming from the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Regional Significance
These developments are particularly significant for Arab countries, as many of them rely on energy supplies from Russia. Additionally, crises in Europe could affect global oil and gas prices, which may impact the economies of Arab nations. Furthermore, any escalation in tensions between Russia and Ukraine could lead to changes in global energy policies, prompting Arab countries to reassess their energy strategies.
In conclusion, the situation in the region remains tense, with political and economic dimensions intertwining complexly. It is crucial to monitor the developments of this dispute and its potential impacts on energy security in Europe and the Arab region.