Hungary's Orban accuses Kyiv of plotting energy disruption

Deutsche Welle

February 25, 2026

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has escalated tensions with Ukraine by accusing Kyiv of plotting to disrupt Hungary's energy system. He ordered increased security at critical energy infrastructure sites, claiming he received intelligence about potential disruptions. This comes amid ongoing disputes over the Druzhba oil pipeline, which transports Russian crude to Hungary and Slovakia. While Kyiv blames damage from Russian drone strikes, Orban insists the shutdown was politically motivated, not technical, and ties it to efforts to influence Hungary's upcoming April 12 election. Orban has repeatedly accused Ukraine of "blackmail" to pressure him into opposing measures against Russia. He claims Kyiv seeks to hike energy prices in Hungary and pull it deeper into the conflict with Russia. Despite lagging in polls, Orban is leveraging the situation to frame the election as a choice between "war or peace." Meanwhile, the EU has assured that Hungary and Slovakia are not at risk of oil shortages, citing alternative pipelines like the Adria pipeline through Croatia. The EU is also determined to fulfill its $90 billion loan commitment to Ukraine, despite Orban's opposition. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the bloc will find ways to bypass Hungary's resistance. Slovakia and Hungary remain among the few EU countries still importing Russian oil and gas, despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Orban's actions highlight the growing geopolitical tensions in Europe, particularly over energy security and relations with Russia. His accusations against Kyiv, however unproven, reflect broader concerns about energy dependence and political influence in Central and Eastern Europe. The situation underscores the delicate balance between national interests and EU policies, as well as the potential for further strain on regional stability.

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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/25/2026