Viktor Orbán published an open letter on Facebook on Thursday calling on Volodimir Zelenskyy to immediately reopen the Druzhba oil pipeline and refrain from what he described as further attacks against Hungary’s energy security.

In the letter, Orbán wrote that Zelenskyy had been unable for four years to accept the position of the sovereign Hungarian government and the Hungarian people regarding the Russo–Ukrainian war. He said the Ukrainian president had been trying to push Hungary into the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Orbán also claimed that Brussels had supported these efforts over the past four years and that Hungary’s opposition had sided with Zelenskyy. According to the Hungarian prime minister, Zelenskyy, Brussels and the Hungarian opposition were taking coordinated steps aimed at bringing a pro-Ukraine government to power in Hungary.

The prime minister said that in recent days Zelenskyy had shut down the Druzhba oil pipeline, which he described as key to Hungary’s energy supply. He argued that the move runs counter to Hungary’s interests and endangers secure and affordable energy for Hungarian families.

Orbán therefore called on the Ukrainian president to change what he called his anti-Hungary policy.

He added that Hungarians are not responsible for the situation Ukraine has found itself in. While expressing sympathy for the Ukrainian people, Orbán said Hungary does not wish to take part in the war, finance the fighting or pay more for energy.

He urged Zelenskyy to immediately reopen the Druzhba oil pipeline and refrain from further actions affecting Hungary’s energy security, concluding his letter with a call for greater respect for Hungary.

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