German foreign office spokesperson says unacceptable that Hungary is using pipeline issue as pretext

The German foreign office has criticized Hungary’s use of the Druzhba oil pipeline dispute as a pretext to delay EU sanctions against Russia and Ukraine aid, calling the stance “unacceptable”. Hungary, along with Slovakia, has accused Ukraine of obstructing the pipeline’s reopening, which supplies Russian oil to landlocked Central European nations. Budapest has dispatched a delegation to assess the pipeline’s condition, though Ukraine denied the group official status or scheduled talks, labeling it a “private trip”. Hungarian Energy Minister Gábor Czepek emphasized the mission’s goal to “defend Hungarian interests” and expedite pipeline reactivation, while Ukrainian officials reiterated that repairs could take four to six weeks due to damage from Russian strikes.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has sought to link EU legislation for a 90 billion euro Ukraine loan package to the pipeline’s reopening, a move opposed by several member states who argue the issues are unrelated. EU institutions, including the European Commission, have declined to intervene or conduct independent inspections, stating they will not pressure Kyiv on the matter. Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed “astonishment” at Hungary’s position, highlighting tensions over energy security and EU cohesion.

The dispute has escalated amid broader political friction, including Hungary’s recent detention of Ukrainian state bank employees and seized assets, further straining bilateral relations. Analysts note the conflict underscores challenges in balancing national energy priorities with EU-wide sanctions frameworks, potentially complicating coordinated responses to geopolitical and economic crises.