Correct: Hungary to ban Ukrainian military officer from EU

Correct: Hungary to ban Ukrainian military officer from EU

Hungary has taken a significant step in its response to recent attacks on the Druzhba oil pipeline, by banning the commander of the Ukrainian military unit responsible for the most recent strike. The move comes amid growing tensions between Hungary and Ukraine over the pipeline's security and Hungary's energy supply.

The Druzhba pipeline, a critical energy infrastructure built during the Soviet era, supplies Russian crude to several European countries, including Hungary and Slovakia. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the pipeline has been repeatedly targeted, causing disruptions in energy supply and straining relations between the countries involved.

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced the ban on Thursday, stating that the attack was directed not only at the infrastructure but also at Hungary's sovereignty and security of supply. He emphasized that the latest strike was so serious that repair efforts took longer than expected, nearly forcing Hungary to draw on its strategic emergency reserves.

Szijjártó stressed that the pipeline is essential for Hungary's energy security and that Ukraine is well aware of this. He argued that attacks against the pipeline primarily harm Hungary and Slovakia, rather than Russia. The minister declared that the government considers the latest strike an outright attack on Hungary's sovereignty and will not let it go unanswered.

The ban on the Ukrainian commander will prevent him from entering Hungary or any country in the Schengen Area for the coming years. Szijjártó warned that anyone who threatens Hungary's energy security or sovereignty must expect consequences.

This move is the latest in a series of actions taken by Hungary to protect its national interests and energy security. The ban on the Ukrainian commander follows a joint letter from Hungarian and Slovakian foreign ministers to the European Commission, urging action to guarantee secure energy flows following the recent attack.

The decision to ban the Ukrainian commander has been criticized by some as aligning Hungary with Russia's interests, given Hungary's close ties with Moscow. However, Hungarian officials maintain that the move is necessary to protect the country's energy security and sovereignty.

References:
[1] https://www.hungarianconservative.com/articles/current/hungary-druzhba-pipeline-attack-ukrainian-commander-ban/
[2] https://en.apa.az/europe/hungary-bans-ukrainian-army-commander-from-entering-schengen-zone-476152
[3] https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/08/28/hungary-bans-ukrainian-commander-over-russian-pipeline-hit-latest-sign-of-budapest-acting-as-kremlins-proxy-in-eu/
[4] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/22/hungary-slovakia-fear-oil-cuts-after-ukrainian-attack-on-russian-pipeline