The Hungarian fact-finding delegation investigating the situation surrounding the Druzhba oil pipeline has been holding talks in Kyiv, with its leader saying the issue is attracting international attention and has broader implications for European energy security.
Gábor Czepek, administrative state secretary at the Hungarian Ministry of Energy, posted a video update from the Ukrainian capital, where the delegation is negotiating with officials and monitoring developments related to the pipeline.
Czepek emphasized that Hungary’s position is that the crude oil expected to arrive through the pipeline belongs to the Hungarian oil company MOL. ‘MOL has paid for that oil,’ he said, referring to shipments that would normally reach Hungary through the pipeline. According to the state secretary, several countries have shown interest in the discussions, while the European Commission is also examining the energy market dispute surrounding the suspension of oil deliveries.
Czepek said the shutdown of the pipeline raises serious concerns about supply security, as a significant share of the crude oil used by Hungarian refineries normally arrives through this route. He added that Russian Urals crude delivered via the Druzhba pipeline has historically provided a considerable price advantage compared with Western oil grades. The delegation’s stated goal is to resolve the situation through negotiations and create conditions for restoring the pipeline’s operation. According to Czepek, the issue now extends beyond a bilateral dispute and also affects Europe’s broader energy security.
Hungarian officials say the delegation travelled to Ukraine as a formally announced mission, a claim previously confirmed by Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó. Ukrainian officials, however, have disputed the formal status of the visit, saying they had not received prior notification and that no official programme had been scheduled for the Hungarian group. Despite the disagreement, the Hungarian delegation has continued its consultations and plans further discussions with Ukrainian energy decision-makers as well as representatives of the European Commission.
During the visit, the delegation was also forced to interrupt talks and take shelter after an air raid siren sounded in Kyiv. Czepek later posted a video from the underground shelter showing members of the mission waiting out the alert. The incident highlighted the security conditions under which diplomatic and technical discussions are currently taking place in the Ukrainian capital.
Related articles:
At a time when public debate is increasingly polarized and superficial, Hungarian Conservative remains committed to depth, intellectual honesty, and independent conservative thought.
Producing high-quality journalism requires resources. Your contribution helps us expand our coverage, reach new audiences, and keep our content accessible.
Please consider supporting our mission.
