Orbán and Fico create a joint inspection after the suspension of Druzhba in Ukraine. They demand the immediate restoration of supplies, which threatens the region’s oil security.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced on Friday that he had a phone call with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico regarding the interruption of oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline. The two leaders agreed to create a joint inspection group to examine the state of the oil pipeline in Ukraine. In his statement, Orbán emphasized that the situation threatens the energy security of both Hungary and Slovakia and called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to immediately restore supplies.
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán spoke on the phone with Robert Fico about the suspension of Druzhba.
- The two prime ministers agreed on a joint inspection group for the oil pipeline.
- Orbán asks Ukraine to allow inspectors to enter the damage site.
- An inspection group with representatives of Slovakia, Hungary and the European Commission will investigate the causes.
- The interruption of oil transit by Druzba seriously threatens the energy security of Hungary and Slovakia.
According to Orbán, it is essential that the Ukrainian authorities allow Hungarian and Slovak inspectors to enter the place of alleged damage to the oil pipeline. “Oil supplies must be restored immediately,” Orbán said on the social network Facebook. He added that the situation requires a quick solution, as the interruption of supplies has serious consequences for both countries.
Joint inspection of the oil pipeline
Prime Minister Robert Fico confirmed the agreement on the creation of an inspection group, which should include representatives of Slovakia, Hungary and the European Commission. The aim of the group will be to examine the state of the Druzhba pipeline in Ukraine and clarify the reasons for the interruption of supplies. Fico emphasized that cooperation between the two countries is crucial in this situation.
The Ukrainian side claims that the pipeline is damaged, which makes oil transit impossible. However, Hungary and Slovakia expect that the Ukrainian authorities will allow the inspection to access the site so that the necessary measures can be taken to restore operations.
A call for a quick solution
Both prime ministers appealed to Ukrainian President Zelensky to quickly allow the entry of inspectors and ensure the resumption of supplies. The situation around the Druzhba pipeline is a sensitive issue, as it is a key route for oil supplies to Central Europe.
The energy security of Hungary and Slovakia is currently seriously threatened, with both countries facing the risk of oil shortages. The creation of a joint inspection group is therefore considered an important step towards solving this crisis.
