Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban have exchanged threats over the Druzhba oil pipeline.
According to Hvylya, the stumbling block is a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine, which Budapest has blocked while demanding the resumption of Russian oil transit.
Speaking at a government briefing, Zelensky issued a thinly veiled warning to Orban. He stated that if a certain European leader does not stop blocking the first tranche of the loan, the Ukrainian military will "communicate with him in their own language."
"You know we need to make an advance payment for future aviation, specifically Gripens and Rafales. We hope that one person in the EU will not block the €90 billion or the first tranche, ensuring Ukrainian soldiers have weapons. Otherwise, we will give our armed forces this person's address. Let them call and communicate with him in their own language," Zelensky said.
Addressing demands to inspect the technical condition of the damaged pipeline, Zelensky urged partners to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and recalled that he had never taken such liberties with allies.
"I don't think EU representatives distrust us. I believe our word is enough. Over these years, we have shown that we are real, reliable partners," he emphasized.
The president cited an example of asking a European leader for Patriot air defense missiles, only to be refused due to limited stockpiles. Zelensky noted it never crossed his mind to demand access to their warehouses for verification. "Because we must respect each other. We have an independent state."
Regarding the Druzhba pipeline, Zelensky maintained a principled stance: restoring it is impractical as it transports Russian oil while Russia continues to kill Ukrainians. He called the situation's logic absurd, noting, "They are killing us, and we must give Orban oil because he, poor thing, cannot win an election without it."
Nevertheless, the president conceded that technical repairs to the pipeline could be completed within a month and a half if unblocking the critical EU tranche depends on it.
In response, the Hungarian premier made even harsher statements at the Gazdasági Évnyitó 2026 economic forum. Orban declared his intention to force Kyiv to resume oil transit, dismissing any diplomatic resolution.
"I want to emphasize one thing: we will win, and we will do it by force. I will not make any agreements, no compromises—we will simply overcome them," Orban stated, referencing Hungary's "financial and political tools."
The transit of oil via the Druzhba route through Ukrainian territory has been suspended since late January 2026. Kyiv attributes the halt to Russian attacks on infrastructure, while Budapest insists the blockade is political.
Ukraine has proposed an alternative supply route to Hungary and Slovakia via the Odesa-Brody pipeline. The European Union is currently awaiting the results of a technical assessment conducted by Ukrainian specialists.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue to repel attacks along the 1,200-kilometer front line. According to the analytical group Black Bird Group, in February, Ukraine regained more territory than it lost for the first time since 2023.