Hungary Accuses Ukraine of Attacking Turkish Stream Pipeline

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has made a striking accusation against Ukraine, asserting that the country has allegedly launched another attack on the Turkish Stream gas pipeline. According to Szijjarto, this incident represents a "very crude attack on the sovereignty of Hungary," raising concerns within the nation as the global energy crisis intensifies.

Speaking at a political event in the town of Mezkovachhaz, Szijjarto emphasized that, based on his information, Ukraine is attempting to completely block Hungary's energy supply. He stated, "This is a very crude attack on the sovereignty of Hungary, because attacks on energy security, on the security of energy supply, are considered attacks on sovereignty." His remarks highlight the escalating tensions between the two nations over energy resources.

Szijjarto further noted that the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies inexpensive Russian oil, is physically capable of transporting fuel towards Hungary. However, he claimed that "the Ukrainians are blocking it," which has raised concerns regarding Hungary's ability to secure the necessary energy resources.

"We will, of course, defend ourselves and fight for the use of cheap Russian oil and cheap Russian gas in Hungary, because if we do not have that opportunity, then the preferential tariffs will come to an end, and the protected prices for gasoline will also be over," Szijjarto declared, underscoring the significance of Russian energy resources for the Hungarian economy.

He also pointed out that if preferential tariffs are abolished, utility payments for Hungarians could triple, posing a serious blow to the country's population. This statement reflects the potential economic ramifications of the ongoing energy disputes.

It is important to note that on March 21, The Washington Post reported, citing sources, that Szijjarto has been regularly informing Moscow about the proceedings of European Union meetings. Specifically, he has been in constant contact with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, providing him with "live reports on what was discussed," as well as possible EU solutions.

"Due to such calls over the years, at every EU meeting, in essence, Moscow was present at the table," stated a European security service official, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and the implications of Hungary's actions on its foreign relations.

Additionally, on March 23, Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi released a transcript revealing that during a conversation with Lavrov in 2020, Szijjarto requested assistance in securing victory for the Social Democratic Party in Slovakia's elections, which was then led by Peter Pellegrini. These revelations have raised further questions regarding Hungary's foreign policy and its relationship with Russia.

Consequently, the situation surrounding the Turkish Stream pipeline and the energy relations between Ukraine and Hungary remains tense, which could have serious implications for regional security and energy stability. As both countries navigate this complex landscape, the potential for further conflict looms, highlighting the fragility of energy dependencies in Eastern Europe.