Ukraine targets Russian oil export pipeline
Ukraine has fired twice this month at pumping stations that form part of the Druzhba pipeline in western Russia, interrupting the transit of Russian crude oil to Belarus and the EU. Hungary and Slovakia have protested against the attacks, both in Kyiv and Brussels, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán even complaining to US President Donald Trump. Commentators shed light on the complex web of economic and political interests surrounding oil deliveries.
Hungary should avoid "cheap Putin"
Népszava criticises Hungary's venal attitude, which turns a blind eye to Russia's aggression in Ukraine:
“According to Brussels, if you continue to pay Putin after 24 February 2022 you are financing the bombing of Ukraine and are therefore - good morning! - already involved in the war, backing the aggressor. ... Although this is undoubtedly true for several other member states today, no one apart from us [Hungary] is proclaiming loudly that 'Putin is the cheapest'. For the rest, by systematically slaughtering Ukrainians this 'cheap Putin' has removed himself from the list of business partners. ... What's more, the Kremlin has never seen energy as a commodity but as a means of expanding its power.”
This could backfire
Ukraine should be careful not to provide Orbán with political ammunition, European Pravda warns:
“The key risk of Ukraine's current pressure on Hungary is that any disruption to transit could be portrayed as a 'Ukrainian attack on Hungarian consumers' and used for political propaganda - especially in the run-up to the parliamentary elections slated for April 2026. Just look at Orbán's recent 'referendum' campaign, which mobilised Hungarians against Ukraine's accession to the EU - and which the country's government used to block negotiations. This is why an attack on the Druzhba pipeline could also entail risks for Ukraine in the short term.”
Don't undermine Europe's energy security
Echo24 believes the EU should put its foot down:
“In addition to Ukraine's understandable goal of inflicting damage on Russia it's obvious that it also wants to take a swipe at Slovakia and Hungary, whose prime ministers Zelensky genuinely despises. They pursue a pro-Russian policy within the EU. ... On the other hand, the West, or effectively just the EU, is now subsidising a fifth of the Ukrainian state budget, otherwise the country would go bankrupt. And of course anyone who pays has the right to advise, make recommendations and be heard. For example, the EU could advise Zelensky not to fire at an oil pipeline that forms part of Europe's energy security infrastructure.”