Tensions rise between Hungary and Ukraine, EU “considers financial support” for resumption of Druzhba pipeline

Brussels – The European Commission is considering options to facilitate the resumption of oil supplies from Ukraine to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline, including financial support. This was clarified today (6 March) by the European Commission’s spokesperson, Olof Gill, during the EU executive’s daily press briefing. “I can confirm that the Commission is considering options to support the resumption of oil supplies, including possible financial support,” he explained. This is a response to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s announcement that Hungary will suspend the transit of vital goods to Ukraine if Kyiv does not resume crude oil deliveries through the Russian pipeline. 

The clash between Budapest and Kyiv is therefore intensifying, in addition to Orban’s blocking of the EU’s €90 billion aid package for 2026 and 2027 to Kyiv. “We have already stopped fuel supplies and will continue to exert pressure until oil supplies resume,” Orban said on state radio. “What Zelensky is doing to Hungary is unacceptable. If global energy prices rise, low-cost Russian oil becomes even more important. If necessary, the government will intervene to protect Hungarian families from unsustainable energy prices,” Orban said. 

Meanwhile, the dispute is escalating, with Kyiv accusing Hungary of taking a group of Ukrainian bank employees hostage who were reportedly transporting $40 million and nine kilograms of gold through Hungary. Budapest suspects them of money laundering and has ordered their expulsion. This refers to the arrest yesterday (5 March) of seven Ukrainian bank employees who were transporting $40 million, €35 million and nine kilograms of gold through Hungary. 

“The authorities discovered that the operation was supervised by a former general of the Ukrainian Security Services, with a former major of the Ukrainian Air Force as his deputy and assisted by individuals with military experience. Based on these findings, all seven individuals will be expelled from Hungary,” said Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs on X. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a press release, “recommends that Ukrainian citizens refrain from travelling to Hungary due to the impossibility of guaranteeing their safety because of the arbitrary actions of the Hungarian authorities.” 

Brussels has not commented on the situation. “We are aware of media reports on this matter. At this stage, we have no further information on the events reported and therefore, at this stage, I have no comment to offer,” said Markus Lammert, spokesperson for the European Commission for Justice and the Rule of Law. The Berlaymont Building is trying to remain focused on the goal of ending the war in Ukraine, looking beyond the tensions between the two countries. “Right now, there is an escalation taking place and our main goal as the European Commission, on behalf of the European Union, is still to stop Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” Gill noted. 

“We firmly believe that this is also in the interests of the European Union in general and Europe as a whole, as we need security and stability on the European continent. Therefore, our most important objective at this time is to disburse the loan agreed by the European Council, a commitment that we expect all EU leaders to honour,” he emphasised. But beyond that, for Brussels, “the escalating rhetoric on all sides is neither helpful nor conducive to achieving these objectives.” For this reason, “we are actively discussing with all parties in order to tone down the rhetoric and achieve the goals I mentioned,” Gill concluded.