Hungary's reliance on Russian oil has been called into question following damage to the Druzhba pipeline, which has halted oil deliveries from Russia to the country. The pipeline, which is the world's longest oil conduit, was exempt from EU sanctions but has now been damaged, threatening to torpedo a billion-dollar loan to Ukraine. Ukrainian officials claim the damage was caused by a Russian strike, while Hungary has accused Kyiv of sabotage.
The European Commission has proposed an inspection and fact-finding mission into the incident, which has raised eyebrows about Hungary's continued reliance on Russian energy. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has argued that Russian crude is essential for the country's energy security, but some experts suggest the picture is more complex. According to the Centre for the Study of Democracy, Hungary has ignored warnings to diversify its energy sources and has access to viable alternative routes.
Hungary is one of the most dependent countries on Russian crude in the EU, with Russian oil making up around 90% of its imports by 2025. The country's primary oil and gas operator, MOL, is the last major buyer of Russian crude in the European Union. Despite warnings to diversify resources, Hungary has actually increased its dependence on Russian oil between 2021 and 2025, from 61% to 93%.
The European Commission has identified the Adria pipeline as a primary alternative for Hungary. Operated by Croatian state-owned company JANAF, the pipeline connects the Omišalj Terminal on Croatia's Krk island to refineries in Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. According to the Centre for the Study of Democracy, transit fees for non-Russian crude imported via this pipeline are lower than those applied to Russian crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline.
Hungary's continued reliance on Russian oil, despite having access to viable alternative routes, suggests a lack of urgency in diversifying its energy sources. When Viktor Orbán says Russian crude is essential for Hungary's energy security, that means the country is willing to prioritize short-term cost savings over long-term energy independence.
