Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has reportedly sent an open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj accusing Ukraine of attempting to involve Hungary in the war with Russia. According to a report from Aftonbladet, Orbán demanded that Ukraine immediately reopen the Druzhba oil pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary.
In the letter, Orbán allegedly accused Zelenskyj of conspiring with Brussels and the Hungarian opposition to orchestrate a regime change in Budapest, aiming to install a pro-Ukrainian government. The Hungarian leader reportedly stated, 'You, Brussels and the Hungarian opposition coordinate your efforts to get a pro-Ukrainian government in Hungary.'
You, Brussels and the Hungarian opposition coordinate your efforts to get a pro-Ukrainian government in Hungary.
The dispute comes as Hungary faces parliamentary elections on April 12, 2026, with Orbán reportedly under pressure from growing opposition. The closure of the Druzhba pipeline has reportedly led Hungary to refuse approval of new EU billion-euro funding for Ukraine and new EU sanctions against Moscow.
According to the report, the European Commission maintains that Hungary can obtain sufficient oil through alternative means despite the pipeline closure.