Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán has announced that the government is reinforcing protection of the country’s critical energy infrastructure after Ukrainian oil deliveries were halted.
Since January 27, no crude oil has arrived in Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline. Officials say the stoppage is political rather than technical, aimed at pressuring Hungary and Slovakia. National security assessments warn that further measures could target the country’s energy system.
In response, Orbán has ordered military forces to be deployed near key energy facilities, along with technical equipment to repel potential attacks. Police presence will be increased around power plants, distribution stations, and control centers, and a drone flight ban has been imposed in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County to reduce security risks.
“Hungary’s sovereignty and the security of its energy supply must be protected. Hungary cannot be blackmailed,” Orbán stated.
Hungary maintains strategic crude reserves sufficient for roughly three months, and part of these has been released to Mol to mitigate short-term supply gaps. Deliveries contracted via tanker ships will reach Croatia by early March, with additional transport time needed to reach domestic refineries.
Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Budapest and praised Orbán’s leadership. Rubio’s visit came ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary elections, signaling growing international attention to Orbán’s approach. The prime minister used the opportunity to criticize EU leadership, describing Brussels as an “oppressive machinery” and reinforcing his defiance against European centralism.
