Orbán again accuses Zelenskyy of supporting Hungarian opposition, blocking Druzhba operations – open letter

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has addressed an open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in which he alleged interference in Hungary’s internal political processes and accused him of intentionally blocking the Druzhba oil pipeline, which was damaged during shelling by Russia on January 27.

"You, Brussels, and the Hungarian opposition are coordinating efforts to bring a pro-Ukrainian government to power in Hungary. In recent days, you have blocked the Druzhba oil pipeline, which is crucial for Hungary’s energy supply. Your actions contradict the interests of Hungary and jeopardize the safe and affordable energy supply for Hungarian families. Therefore, I urge you to change your anti-Hungarian policy!" states the open letter, the text of which Orbán published on the X social network.

He claims that the Ukrainian head of state "cannot accept the position of the sovereign Hungarian government and the Hungarian people regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine" and that he and the Hungarian people "bear no responsibility for the situation in which Ukraine finds itself." "We sympathize with the Ukrainian people, but we do not wish to participate in the war. We do not want to finance military efforts and do not want to pay more for energy resources," the head of the Hungarian government wrote.

"For four years, you have been working to force Hungary into the war between your country and Russia. During this time, you have received support from Brussels and secured the support of the Hungarian opposition," Orbán claims. The Hungarian Prime Minister called on Zelenskyy to "immediately open the Druzhba oil pipeline and refrain from any further attacks on Hungary’s energy security."

As reported, the lead of the opposition Tisza party over the ruling Fidesz among eligible voters has grown to 20 percentage points, according to the results of a survey by the independent public opinion research agency Medián, commissioned by the HVG newspaper. Earlier, Orbán stated that Hungary would block the European Union’s adoption of a new sanctions package against Russia and the allocation of a EUR 90 billion EU reparation loan as long as the Druzhba oil pipeline, damaged during shelling by Russia on January 27, remains closed.