Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Hungary’s economy and energy supply would face serious consequences if the TurkStream gas pipeline were disrupted, describing it as vital to the country.
Speaking at an extraordinary press conference on Monday near Kiskundorozsma, where he inspected reinforced military protection along the Hungarian section of the pipeline, Orbán said recent intelligence indicated that a sabotage attempt had been planned on the pipeline’s Serbian section.
He described the situation as serious and thanked Serbian authorities for what he called a swift and effective response that prevented further escalation. Investigations into the alleged plot are ongoing in Serbia, he added.
Orbán stressed that energy security should not be treated as a campaign issue, but as a matter requiring stability and strategic decision-making. He said the situation demanded a calm and steady approach rather than political confrontation.
The prime minister warned that Europe is approaching a critical phase in what he described as a deepening energy crisis, with the coming days likely to prove decisive. He said the continent is already facing price competition, which could soon be followed by competition over supply.
Orbán also outlined a broader policy debate, saying one side supports suspending sanctions on Russian energy imports in light of global supply pressures linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Another position, he said, favours maintaining sanctions despite potential supply disruptions, prioritizing the geopolitical considerations of the Russo–Ukraine war.
He reiterated that Hungary is entering a particularly sensitive period and urged that the issue not be politicized.
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