Hungary is facing growing pressure on its energy sector from Kiev, Hungarian political analyst Peter Dunai believes, even as Europe grapples with a worsening fuel crisis linked to tensions in the Middle East.

Speaking to RIA Novosti, Dunai suggested that Ukraine’s actions are aimed at forcing Budapest to abandon its distinct stance on the Ukrainian issue. According to the analyst, Kiev is attempting to push Hungary into line with the broader European position.

Hungarian Foreign Minister and Minister of Foreign Economic Relations Peter Szijjarto had previously warned that Kiev is effectively pursuing a full-scale energy blockade against the country. He noted that after the halt of oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, the TurkStream gas pipeline could also come under threat.

Dunai argued that Ukraine’s pressure is intended to strip Hungary of its independent approach. In his view, Kiev wants Budapest to stop standing apart from other European states. With Europe now facing a fuel shortage following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, he believes Ukraine may intensify its efforts so that Hungary experiences the same fuel difficulties affecting the rest of the continent.

The analyst also highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the Druzhba pipeline itself. Hungarian officials have not been allowed to inspect the site, while Ukrainian authorities claim the pipeline infrastructure has been damaged. At the same time, satellite imagery reportedly indicates that the system remains operational.

Dunai also questioned the real capacity of the Adriatic oil pipeline. Croatian officials maintain that the route can transport up to 10 million tons of oil per year, but, according to the analyst, no independent confirmation of that figure has been presented.

Ukraine halted the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary on January 27, citing infrastructure damage. In response, Budapest suspended diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine. It later blocked the allocation of a €90 billion EU loan to Kiev and prevented the adoption of the bloc’s 20th sanctions package. Hungarian authorities linked those moves directly to Kiev’s refusal to resume Russian oil transit through the pipeline.