Zelensky Accuses Hungary and Slovakia of Lack of Gratitude Over Oil Pipeline Restoration

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that neither Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán nor Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed gratitude to Ukraine for restoring the Druzhba oil pipeline. The statement came during a press briefing on March 1, 2026, as reported by Getty Images and Getty Images India.

Restoration and Russian Revenue

Zelensky emphasized that restoring transit of Russian oil allows Russia to continue funding its war efforts. He explained that during a conversation with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, he highlighted this point, questioning the sincerity of any desire to restore the transit given its financial benefit to Russia.

“If European leaders inquire us to do this, we must understand what the cost of this is… After the first strike, we restored everything. There was not a single appeal to the Russians not to hit the oil pipeline, we saw it publicly. But there were public appeals to the Ukrainians, because this is the energy security of Hungary and Slovakia,” Zelensky said.

Risks During Repairs

Zelensky noted that the repairs were conducted during a “combat situation,” resulting in injuries to workers. He questioned why Hungary and Slovakia did not acknowledge Ukraine’s efforts or express concern for those harmed during the restoration process.

“Has anyone heard from Orban or from Fico that “we are very grateful to Ukraine”, or “I’m very sorry for the family, relatives, friends who suffered”? Not a single word except that we owe them again. I said: “What is this price?” And to the European leaders: “What is the price? Should people die? Must be injured? And you will continue to block everything for Ukraine,” Zelensky emphasized.

EU Aid and Sanctions

The President linked the issue to stalled EU decisions regarding a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, and Ukraine’s progress toward EU membership. He stated that political resistance from Hungary and, to some extent, Slovakia, were hindering these processes.

Insistence on Meeting Location

Zelensky also explained his insistence that any meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico take place within Ukraine.

Budapest and Bratislava maintain that the pause in oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline was a political decision by Ukraine, not a result of physical damage from Russian strikes. On March 2, 2025, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán presented satellite images purportedly showing no obstructions to the pipeline’s operation. Zelensky responded that satellite images do not capture all details.