Former U.S. President Donald Trump has lashed out at Ukraine, saying he is “very angry” about Kyiv’s decision to bomb the Druzhba oil pipeline, which carries Russian oil to Central Europe. The pipeline is a critical lifeline for Hungary and Slovakia, and Trump’s statement came after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán personally reached out to him, calling the strikes unfriendly and damaging.

Trump, who has repeatedly criticized India for buying Russian oil and even imposed a 50% tariff with warnings of further penalties, took a sharply different stance when it came to Europe. In a handwritten note addressed to Orbán, Trump said, “Viktor – I do not like hearing this. I am very angry about it. Tell Slovakia. You are my great friend.” The message, later shared on Facebook by Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party, underscored Trump’s frustration and highlighted the diplomatic sensitivity surrounding Europe’s dependence on Russian energy.

Orbán’s Complaint: A Pipeline Under Attack

The issue began with Orbán’s strongly worded note to Trump, where he emphasized Hungary’s reliance on the Druzhba line. Orbán wrote, “Five days ago, just before the historic meeting between President Trump and Putin in Alaska, Ukraine carried out drone strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline in Russia. This pipeline supplies Hungary and Slovakia, two countries that have no other means of importing crude oil. Hungary supports Ukraine with electricity and petrol, in return they bomb pipeline that supply us. Very unfriendly move! We wish President Trump every success in his pursuit for peace!”

Orbán’s message not only criticized Ukraine but also hinted at Europe’s growing divide over how to manage the conflict. The Druzhba pipeline, also known as the “Friendship Pipeline,” is one of the world’s largest oil networks, stretching over 4,000 km from Russia to Eastern and Central Europe. For Hungary and Slovakia, which continue to import large volumes of Russian oil, the pipeline remains indispensable.

A Week of Strikes and Energy Disruption

The August strikes marked the third attack on the pipeline in a single week. Although the pipeline was temporarily restored on 19 August, it was hit again just two days later when the Unecha pumping station inside Russia came under assault. The repeated disruptions effectively halted the flow of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, leaving both countries scrambling to secure their supplies.

In response, Hungary and Slovakia formally wrote to the European Commission, demanding intervention. Their joint letter, signed by Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár, declared: “Given that in the past years, the EU and its Member States have provided hundreds of billions of Euros’ worth of support to Ukraine, we find Ukraine’s actions, which severely threaten the energy security of Hungary and Slovakia, completely irresponsible.”

Hungary and Slovakia Fight Back

Foreign Minister Szijjártó took to X (formerly Twitter) to amplify his protest, writing: “The Druzhba pipeline is indispensable for our energy supply. Without it, providing oil to our countries is physically impossible. Such attacks are a direct and unacceptable assault on our energy security.” He accused Ukraine of hurting Hungary and Slovakia more than Russia, framing the strikes as an attack on his country’s survival.

He went further, insisting that European leaders must shift their perspective: “Brussels must understand: they are the EUROPEAN Commission, not the Ukrainian Commission!”

In another statement, Szijjártó argued that Ukraine’s actions were also an attempt to drag Hungary into the war, declaring, “It will not succeed! We stand for peace & our national interests.” 

Ukraine’s Role and the Unmanned Systems Forces

Though Kyiv has not officially confirmed its role, responsibility for the strikes has been linked to the Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine. Videos of the attacks were reportedly circulated on Telegram by Robert Brovdi, the head of Ukraine’s drone operations unit. While Ukrainian officials remain silent, the strikes fit into Ukraine’s broader campaign to undermine Russia’s war economy by targeting its energy infrastructure.

For Hungary and Slovakia, however, the attacks represent a direct threat to their energy security rather than Russia’s. With no alternate pipelines to rely on, both nations continue pressing the EU to intervene and prevent further strikes, arguing that the continent cannot afford such instability in its energy supply chain.