Energy 27 February 2026, 4:17pm

As is well known, a Russian drone attack hit one of the Druzhba oil pipeline's pumping stations in Ukraine at the end of January, halting transit to Hungary and Slovakia due to damaged infrastructure. The shutdown has since become a political issue. Last week, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wrote to European Council President António Costa to indicate that Hungary would not support the implementation of the €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine until Russian oil transit was restored. Orbán backed the loan in December on the basis that EU leaders exempted Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia from paying down the EU debt.

According to EU officials speaking to Portfolio,

the Hungarian government has effectively angered all of the EU's mainstream member states with this move, and there are currently no serious plans to bypass Hungary in order to initiate payments.

The main reason for this is that, according to information from the Ukrainian authorities, the Friendship pipeline is expected to be ready for restarting by early March. After this, the Hungarian government is expected to withdraw its veto. They do not want to get involved in the matter partly because the Hungarian parliamentary elections on 12 April are fast approaching and they want to avoid any appearance of political influence, given that the pipeline issue has already become part of the campaign.

However, the problem is that the 1 March deadline for the ban on Russian fossil fuels is about to expire, leaving less and less time for RePowerEU to extend the use of funds, a diplomat told portfolio on friday.

Although only the member states' separation plans are expected by that date, our sources in Brussels summarised their concerns, stating that financial support for stopping imports of Russian fossil fuels would be seen in the context of the political conflict over the Druzhba pipeline as if Brussels were making concessions in order to support Ukraine.

The plan is to wait until the Ukrainian side has repaired the pipeline damaged by the Russian attack, and then present a proposal to the RePowerEU draft after the oil flow resumes, which would essentially grant extra time.

The new dispute with Ukraine and Hungary's blackmail led to serious conflict between the EU institutions, the leaders of other member states and the Hungarian government. However, some relief may be found in the fact that, in a subsequent letter to Costa, Viktor Orbán proposed setting up a fact-finding mission to investigate the damaged section of the pipeline.

Amidst the current tensions, European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen addressed additional questions on the matter during Friday's midday press briefing.

She confirmed that Orbán "expressed Hungary's support for the idea of such a fact finding mission to verify the statu of the damanged pipeline and his readiness to accept the findings of such a mission."

We consider this a welcome step.

She also said that the European Commission is in contact with the Ukrainian authorities regarding this matter, and is collaborating with member states to ensure security of supply. At the same time, Itkonen emphasised that EU leaders must honour their previous commitments (made at the EUCO).

She pointed out that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv this week and

asked him to accelerate the repairs of the pipeline.

"At the same time, we do acknowledge the challenges fo conducting such repairs under the constant threats of futher Russian attacks."

She was also asked whether the Commission would take part in such a fact-finding mission; whether Orbán's claim that the Druzhba pipeline is operational chimes together with the Commission's current information; and whether they have information on the timeline of the repairs. Itkonen replied:

We have not received information about the repair timeline. As regards Comission experts [potentially participating in the fact-finding mission], we do not have information to share at this stage.

She reiterated that Orbán's willingness to have such a mission and accept its findings is welcome, but "the shape and form" of this mission are yet to be decided.

The press conference also covered the alternative transport route via the Adria pipeline, which already supplies Hungary with oil from Croatia.

In response to a journalist's question, Itkonen also addressed the dispute between Mol and the Adriatic Oil Pipeline Operator (JANAF). The Hungarian oil company believes that a permit from the Croatian government is not required to transport Russian crude oil to Hungary via the Adriatic pipeline. It has also indicated that it may consider legal action, potentially involving the European Commission and the Directorate-General for Competition.

In this regard, Itkonen pointed to the principal legislation:

[...] enforcement and implementation of sanctions are the responsibility of the Member States. We are not requiring any notification in this case from Croatia.

"But of course we are in very close contact to get all the information that is needed to establish the full picture," she added.

The spokesperson recalled that, at Wednesday's meeting of the oil coordination group, it was announced that non-Russian crude oil had been transported through the Adria pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia for several days. The Mol Group has also secured additional shipments of non-Russian crude oil to the oil terminal in Croatia. However, according to the Commission's interpretation, the possible transit of Russian oil remains a matter for Member States to decide.

When asked whether Croatia is entitled to transport Russian oil to Hungary via the Adria pipeline under EU law, Itkonen reiterated that it is the responsibility of the Member States to implement sanctions.

Cover photo: EU