Viktor Orbán has ordered a halt to gas shipments to Ukraine, redirecting supplies to Hungary as Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline remain suspended.
AFP has framed the dispute as the “last salvo” in a feud over a supposedly damaged oil pipeline. Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky says the Druzhba line was struck by a Russian drone and cannot be safely repaired. Hungary and Slovakia, however—both now cut off—say there is no damage at all and that the halt is political.
Brussels has been at the centre of the row since Orbán vetoed a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine until Druzhba flows are restored. EU officials have largely sided with Kyiv and are unlikely to welcome his latest move.
Orbán said in a video address on Wednesday morning that “in order to break the oil blockade and ensure Hungary’s secure energy supply, further measures are now needed. Therefore, we will gradually stop gas shipments from Hungary to Ukraine and store the remaining gas volume at home.”
As long as Ukraine does not supply oil, Hungary will not supply gas. Since Ukraine is also attacking the southern gas pipeline supplying Hungary, we need to stock up. Instead of the Ukrainians, we are now filling the Hungarian gas reservoirs.
We will protect Hungary’s energy security by lowering the price of gasoline and maintaining the reduced gas price.
The move is set to deepen tensions, not least because Hungary had been one of Ukraine’s main gas suppliers.
But at the same time, Donald Trump has thrown his support behind the Hungarian prime minister ahead of April’s election, describing him as “a truly strong and powerful Leader, with a proven track record of delivering phenomenal results.”
Donald J. Trump Truth Social Post 07:19 M EST 03.24.26
Highly Respected Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, is a truly strong and powerful Leader, with a proven track record of delivering phenomenal results. He fights tirelessly for, and loves, his Great Country and People,… pic.twitter.com/LrorKgOO96
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) March 25, 2026
Orbán also has the support of much of the European Right, including France’s Marine Le Pen, who said on Wednesday, “This resistance from Hungary to defend the sovereignty of states must be encouraged.”
Viktor Orbán est quelqu'un de courageux. Il s'oppose à madame von der Leyen qui ne cesse de s'attribuer des compétences qui ne sont pas les siennes.
Cette résistance de la Hongrie pour défendre la souveraineté des États doit être encouragée. pic.twitter.com/Xs77PUVenB
Michael Curzon is a news writer for europeanconservative.com based in England’s Midlands. He is also Editor of Bournbrook Magazine, which he founded in 2019, and previously wrote for London’s Express Online. His Twitter handle is @MichaelCurzon_.
