Overview
- Ukrainian forces reportedly hit a Druzhba pipeline pump station in western Russia, stopping deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia.
- Viktor Orbán accused Volodymyr Zelensky of ordering the attack and tied it to Budapest's veto of Ukraine's EU accession steps.
- Zelensky responded that the state of friendship now depends on Hungary's position, signaling deteriorating bilateral ties.
- The Druzhba system carries Russian crude through Belarus and Ukraine to Central Europe, making disruptions immediately consequential for importers.
- Commentary describes Kyiv's strikes as aimed at reducing Kremlin export revenue and casts Orbán's reaction as politically driven amid Hungary's continued dependence on Russian energy.