Hungary sends delegation to Ukraine to discuss Druzhba oil pipeline

Wednesday 11 March 2026 - 14:00

Hungary announced that it would send a delegation to Ukraine in an effort to open dialogue over the future of the Druzhba pipeline, a key route for transporting Russian oil to several Central European countries. The mission will include Hungarian officials as well as representatives from Slovakia, another country affected by the disruption of supplies.

The announcement was made by Hungary’s energy minister, Gábor Czepek, who said the delegation would travel to Kyiv to engage in discussions with Ukrainian authorities and explore solutions to restore oil deliveries. Hungary has argued that the interruption of the pipeline is linked to political disagreements and administrative obstacles.

Ukrainian officials, however, have stated that the pipeline suffered damage earlier in the year during Russian military strikes. According to Kyiv, the disruptions are related to the broader conflict with Russia, which has affected several pieces of energy infrastructure in the region.

Despite Hungary’s initiative, Ukraine’s foreign ministry indicated that the visiting group does not currently have an official diplomatic status and that no formal meetings have been scheduled. The differing interpretations highlight ongoing tensions between regional partners over energy security during the conflict.

The Druzhba pipeline remains one of the largest oil transport systems in Europe, supplying countries such as Hungary and Slovakia. Any prolonged disruption could have economic consequences for nations that rely on Russian crude imports.