• Former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed strong displeasure with Ukraine following drone attacks on the critical Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Russian oil to Hungary.
  • The strikes, the third in under two weeks, briefly disrupted flows and prompted sharp criticism from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who labeled the move 'unfriendly'.
  • The incident exposes growing friction between Ukraine and some EU member states over energy security and the tactics used in the conflict, potentially straining Western unity.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he was “very angry” after Ukrainian forces conducted drone strikes on the Druzhba pipeline, a crucial conduit for Russian oil to Hungary. The attack, which briefly halted supplies, came after a direct complaint from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, according to people familiar with the matter.

The operation marks the third disruption to the pipeline in less than a fortnight, frustrating Budapest and Bratislava, which have called on the European Commission to ensure the stability of their energy supplies. While flows were quickly restored, the repeated attacks highlight the infrastructure's vulnerability and have stoked diplomatic tensions. Orbán publicly accused Kyiv of an “unfriendly move,” a significant remark given Hungary’s stated, though often ambivalent, support for Ukraine.

Efforts to reach a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military for comment were not immediately successful. A Hungarian government official, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters, confirmed that the prime minister had conveyed his concerns directly to Trump. The former president’s forceful response signals a potential U.S. foreign policy stance that prioritizes the energy security concerns of individual European allies, even when they conflict with Kyiv’s military strategy.

The Druzhba pipeline has long been a lifeline for landlocked nations in Central Europe, operating under EU sanctions exemptions. Its continued operation is seen as vital for economic stability in the region, particularly ahead of the winter months. These incidents risk elevating local oil prices and have ignited a public debate in Hungary and Slovakia about balancing support for Ukraine with the imperative of protecting domestic interests. Without a reliable flow of energy, officials warn, economic stability could be at risk.

This article was updated to clarify that oil flows have been restored.