© Getty Images The disagreement concerning the Druzhba oil conduit has grown into a political clash between Kyiv and Budapest.
The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, posted an overtly belligerent message on the X platform on March 5th, threatening to compel Ukraine to “end the oil blockade” because Budapest is unwilling to make concessions.
“There won’t be any arrangements, no settlements. We shall forcibly overcome the Ukrainian oil embargo. Hungarian energy will recommence flowing through the Druzhba conduit imminently,” Orban declared.
There will be no deals, no compromise. We will break the Ukrainian oil blockade by force. Hungary's energy will soon flow again through the Friendship pipeline. 🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/FZc8CcK0Ei
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) March 5, 2026
The disagreement concerning the Druzhba oil conduit has grown into a political clash between Kyiv and Budapest.
As a reminder, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a government session on March 5th, asserted that the Druzhba oil pipeline could be re-established within a month and a half. He further stated that this is achievable if the European Union discovers a method to circumvent the suspension of the 90 billion loan designated for Ukraine. Zelenskyy clarified that the precise duration needed to restore the conduit will be ascertained by the head of Naftogaz, Serhiy Koretsky, a point the president concurred on with the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa.
According to the President, the European Union is tacitly conveying indications that the loan is contingent on the restoration of Druzhba. Hence, he desires this stance to be formally documented.
“I genuinely requested that this be official, to preclude anyone from alleging that we are fabricating matters, that we are barring entry, etc. Essentially, we await such a formal appeal,” Zelenskyy conveyed.
The President expressed his lack of desire to reinstate the oil pipeline for Orban’s benefit at all.
“There exist facets that transcend monetary value. They are inflicting fatalities upon us, and we are compelled to supply oil to Orban (Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban – ed.), given his purported inability to secure electoral triumph absent this oil,” he appended.