Sikorski to Szijjártó: Hungary Can Secure Oil Without Supporting Putin’s War

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski responded to comments made by his Hungarian counterpart, Péter Szijjártó, emphasizing that Hungary can source oil from non-Russian sources.

Sikorski made the statement on social media platform X on August 29, reacting to Péter Szijjártó's emotional response to Ukrainian and Polish officials' criticism of Hungary’s decision to sanction Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, the commander of Ukraine’s Armed Forces' Unmanned Systems.

“Peter, as the European Commission has repeatedly told you, Hungary can get its oil from non-Russian sources without financing Putin’s war machine,” Sikorski said.

He urged Hungary to show solidarity with Ukraine in its fight for independence and added, “The heroes of 1956 are looking on,” referring to the Budapest uprising against communist dictatorship.

On August 28, Hungary’s Foreign Minister announced that, in response to Ukraine’s recent strike on the Druzhba pipeline, the Hungarian government had decided to bar Brovdi, the commander responsible for the attack, from entering Hungary.

Following this, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha strongly condemned Hungary’s decision. Sikorski, however, invited Brovdi to Poland, despite Hungary’s sanctions, which prohibit his entry.

Madyar, an ethnic Hungarian from Ukraine’s Zakarpattia region, was named the head of the Armed Forces' Unmanned Systems division this summer. According to Brovdi, the strike was carried out by the 14th Regiment of his drone force.

European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova highlighted after the initial attack that the Ukrainian drone strikes on the Druzhba pipeline had no impact on oil supplies to Hungary or Slovakia and did not threaten EU energy security.

Directly support a drone unit

From donor to ally on the frontlines of combat

Download UNITED24 APP