Foreign policy adviser to Polish President Karol Nawrocki has backed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s claim that Ukraine deliberately halted oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline to increase pressure on Hungary in the final stage of the election campaign ahead of the April parliamentary vote.
Jacek Saryusz-Wolski spoke about the issue in a radio interview with Polish conservative broadcaster Radio Wnet on Tuesday, 24 February, marking the fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine. He noted that objections from Hungary and Slovakia have already blocked agreement within the European Union on both a new financial assistance package for Ukraine and the bloc’s 20th sanctions package against Russia. He also pointed out that Slovakia had signalled its readiness to suspend emergency electricity exports to Ukraine in response.
Oil transit through the key pipeline has been halted since 27 January, despite Hungarian and Slovak claims that the route is technically operational. In response, Orbán announced last Friday that Hungary will block the €90 billion loan—agreed by EU leaders in December 2025, with Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary opting out—until Ukraine resumes transit on Druzhba. The move follows coordinated steps by Budapest and Bratislava, including halting diesel exports to Kyiv. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also warned that Slovakia would cut electricity exports to Ukraine if transit is not restored, while Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó blocked the 20th sanctions package at Monday’s Foreign Affairs Council.
Citing intelligence reports, Orbán also ordered reinforced protection of critical energy infrastructure, including troop deployments and a drone ban in the border region of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county over the risk of potential sabotage. ‘I have ordered reinforced protection of critical infrastructure, troop deployment where necessary, increased police presence, and a drone ban in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county,’ he said, stressing that ‘Hungary cannot be blackmailed’.
In the interview, Saryusz-Wolski said he could not exclude that the disruption in oil transit was the result of coordination between Brussels and Kyiv aimed at undermining Orbán during the closing phase of the election campaign. He also suggested that reported damage to a Ukrainian pumping station may not have been accidental, describing the situation as a potential ‘political operation’.
He emphasized that energy dependence in the region runs both ways, noting that while Hungary and Slovakia rely on oil transit via Ukraine, Kyiv in turn depends on electricity imports from both countries.
‘I would prefer that this supposed Brussels–Kyiv “conspiracy theory” proves unfounded,’ Saryusz-Wolski said, warning that if confirmed, it would damage Ukraine’s own interests and validate the positions taken by Budapest and Bratislava. He added that Hungary and Slovakia view the suspension of a critical supply route as a deliberate and hostile move.
Watch the full interview below:
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