Oleodotto Druzhba, cresce la tensione tra Ucraina e Ungheria: l’UE prova a mediare

New diplomatic tensions are emerging across Eastern Europe following the events surrounding the Druzhba oil pipeline, one of the main energy infrastructures linking Russia to Central European countries. The standoff between Ukraine and Hungary has intensified in recent weeks following damage to a section of the pipeline in Ukrainian territory, an incident that temporarily disrupted the flow of oil to several European Union member states.

The escalation has prompted Brussels to intervene directly, calling on Kyiv to allow an international inspection of the infrastructure in order to assess the extent of the damage and determine how long it will take to restore the flow of oil.

Built during the Soviet era, the Druzhba is one of the longest crude oil transportation systems in the world. It runs through several Eastern and Central European countries and supplies refineries in states such as Hungary and Slovakia, which still rely heavily on this energy route.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the European Union has progressively reduced its imports of Russian oil, although some exemptions have remained in place for countries without direct access to the sea or with facilities designed to process crude oil originating from Russia.

The current crisis erupted after a section of the pipeline was damaged during a drone attack attributed to Moscow. The incident disrupted supplies to Central Europe and sparked a political dispute over how and how quickly the infrastructure should be repaired. For its part, the Ukrainian government has made it clear, in the unequivocal words of President Zelensky, that it does not consider the immediate restoration of the Druzhba pipeline a priority.

According to Kyiv, the oil flowing through the pipeline represents a significant source of revenue for Russia. Restoring the flow of crude oil to Europe would therefore mean indirectly contributing to Moscow’s economic support while the war is still ongoing.

This position has triggered a strong reaction from Hungary. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has effectively accused Ukraine of deliberately delaying repairs to the pipeline and has threatened countermeasures against Kyiv, including the suspension of certain energy supplies such as petrol and diesel fuel. He has also not ruled out further restrictions if the situation is not resolved quickly.

It is important to note, however, that the energy dispute is unfolding against an already tense political backdrop. Since the beginning of the war, Hungary has frequently taken positions that differ from those of the majority of EU member states on how to handle the conflict with Russia. The government in Budapest has repeatedly criticised some of the sanctions imposed on Moscow and has slowed the approval of several European aid packages for Ukraine.

In an effort to ease the growing tensions, the European Commission has stepped in, proposing to send a mission tasked with assessing the condition of the pipeline. The aim is to turn the political dispute into a technical matter and establish precisely the extent of the damage and the prospects for repair.

The request for an inspection comes at a particularly sensitive moment on the European political front as well. Budapest remains critical of some new financial instruments, including the €90 billion loan intended to support the Ukrainian economy, further complicating negotiations within the Union.

Ultimately, the dispute over the Druzhba pipeline once again demonstrates how the war in Ukraine continues to have consequences far beyond the battlefield. Energy infrastructure, economic balances and political relations between European countries remain deeply affected by the conflict.

In the coming months, it will be crucial to see whether European mediation can break the deadlock and ease tensions between Kyiv and Budapest, or whether the Druzhba pipeline will become a new flashpoint within the European Union.

Mondo Internazionale APS - All Rights Reserved ® 2026