Slovakia's Fico mentions Druzbha pipeline in congratulatory statement to new Hungary PM Magyar

Fico, formerly a staunch ally of Magyar's opponent and outgoing Hungarian prime minister Victor Orban, expressed his readiness to work with the new government in Budapest but focused his attention on restoring operation to the currently inoperable sections of the Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine.

"With full respect, I acknowledge the decision of the citizens of Hungary in yesterday’s parliamentary elections, and I am ready for intensive cooperation with the new Hungarian Prime Minister, whom I congratulate on the election result," Fico's statement reads, adding that the "...goals of the Government of Slovakia remain unchanged."

These goals refer to restoring the operation of the Druzhba oil pipeline, constructed by the Soviet Union to deliver fuel from Eastern to Central and Western Europe. The pipeline has been inoperable due to Russian attack since January 2026, resulting in various accusations from both Slovak and Hungarian representatives over Ukraine's alleged unwillingness to repair the damaged pipeline.

"I believe there remains a strong interest on the part of Slovakia, Hungary, and Central Europe as a whole in restoring the operation of the Druzhba oil pipeline," Fico wrote.

The Slovak PM also said he supports the revival of the four-nation regional bloc Visegrád Group, as well as strengthened protections for national minorities.

Parliamentary elections were held in Hungary on April 12, 2026. As a result, the Tizca party, led by Peter Magyar, won 138 seats out of 199, with the party of Viktor Orban, Fidesz, holding on to 55. The final six seats will go to the far-right Our Homeland party. 

On March 16, then-Foreign Minister of Hungary Péter Szijjártó stated that his country would block the provision of a 90 million euro loan from the EU to Ukraine until the Druzhba pipeline resumed operation. Szijjártó went on to directly accuse Ukraine of delaying repairs on the pipeline, which served over half of Slovakia and Hungary's energy needs from refineries in Russia.

A group of experts coordinated by the European Commission were reportedly denied access to the pipeline by the Ukrainian government, though Kyiv has repeatedly noted that the damage was caused by hostile military action, and that repairs were underway.