Hungary accuses Ukraine of attacking key Russian pipeline

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced on the 18th August that Russian oil deliveries to Hungary were suspended following what he described as a Ukrainian attack on a key pipeline.

He denounced the incident as “outrageous and unacceptable,” accusing Kyiv of deliberately targeting Hungary’s energy security, as reported by Algerian government-owned AL24news.

While Russian experts are working to repair the damage, he warned it was unclear when supplies would resume. Hungary, which has positioned itself as one of Moscow’s key allies in Europe, is energy-reliant on Russia, with up to 41% of its oil being exported through pipelines.

While Russian experts are working to repair the damage, he warned it was unclear when supplies would resume. Szijjarto stressed that Budapest has ‘nothing to do’ with the war in Ukraine and will not be drawn into it, whilst simultaneously reminding Kyiv that Hungarian electricity remains vital to Ukraine’s energy capabilities. Hungary provides up to 40% of Ukraine’s electricity supply.

Ukraine swiftly dismissed Hungary’s accusations, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybliha turning the blame back on Moscow. He argued that Russia had started the war and continues to refuse peace, while Hungary has continued to rely on energy imports from Russia. Ukraine has recently intensified its strikes against Russian oil and fuel facilities, as part of what it calls legitimate actions to undermine Russia’s war machine.

Hungary was the only EU member state to refuse support for Ukraine’s right to determine its future in a joint statement ahead of the upcoming Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been a key ally of Putin throughout the Russian invasion of Ukraine, consistently breaking ranks with the EU consensus and opposing sanctions on Moscow. This has led to widespread regional condemnation, with the European Commission freezing billions in EU funds earmarked for Hungary over rule-of-law violations and foreign policy non-compliance, specifically citing its obstructionist approach to Ukraine-related measures.

The Russia-Ukraine war has been ongoing for over three years, with airstrikes continuing to attack Ukraine. reshaping the geopolitical landscape of Europe and exposing deep rifts within the EU itself. Russia’s position as one of Europe’s primary suppliers has exposed deep energy insecurity in the region. The recent Alaska summit between U.S. President Trump and Vladimir Putin — widely seen as a diplomatic win for the Russian leader — has deepened EU concerns, particularly given Putin’s long-standing expansionist ambitions and history of destabilising Europe’s eastern borders.

Al24news, Maghrebi.org