Zelenskyy: Relations with Hungary Could Improve After Orbán's Electoral Defeat.

How Political Shifts in Hungary Could Reshape Ties with Ukraine

According to UATV: In an interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed confidence that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán could be defeated in upcoming parliamentary elections. Zelenskyy stated that such an outcome would create an opportunity to normalize relations between Ukraine and Hungary. He emphasized that the Hungarian people are not pro-Russian, a factor he believes could also help improve bilateral ties. This comes after years of strained relations, largely due to Orbán's stance on Ukraine and his close ties to Moscow.

Regional Diplomacy and Critical Energy Infrastructure

Zelenskyy also noted he maintains contact with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. He highlighted that the 'Druzhba' oil pipeline has been damaged by Russian attacks.

“The Russians bombed 'Druzhba' several times and then attacked our technicians who were repairing it,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Viktor Orbán has demanded the resumption of Russian oil transit via the 'Druzhba' pipeline, aiming to strengthen energy cooperation. Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, the European Commission's spokesperson for energy, is also involved in discussions regarding regional energy security.

Zelenskyy's remarks underscore the significance of potential political change in Hungary for the future of Ukrainian-Hungarian relations, which have recently been tense over issues including minority rights. Normalization could unlock new opportunities for collaboration in energy and economic spheres, particularly in the context of ongoing Russian aggression in the region.

Furthermore, the situation with the damaged 'Druzhba' pipeline and the urgent need for its repair highlights the critical importance of energy security for Ukraine and its neighbors. The involvement of the European Commission in these discussions indicates that energy cooperation is becoming a pivotal aspect of international relations amid current geopolitical challenges.