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Ukraine currently has all the gas volumes it needs, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said during a briefing on March 25.
According to him, as of now, gas exports from Hungary to Ukraine have not been halted. Tykhyi noted that he had spoken with industry representatives ahead of the briefing, who confirmed that supplies continue as normal.
No critical dependence
Commenting on threats by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to suspend gas exports unless oil transit via Druzhba is restored, Tykhyi emphasized:
- Ukraine already has sufficient gas reserves
- Kyiv knows how to secure additional volumes if needed
- The country has diversified supply routes to avoid dependence on a single partner
“Ukraine, unlike Hungary, has taken the necessary steps to ensure diversified energy supplies and not depend on the political decisions of a neighboring country,” he said.
Economic consequences for Hungary
Tykhyi also pointed out that any halt in gas exports would primarily hurt Hungary itself.
According to him, Hungary earned over $1 billion last year from gas exports to Ukraine. Cutting supplies would mean losing that revenue.
“Viktor Orbán would be taking this billion dollars out of the pockets of Hungarians. That’s his choice if he wants to do it,” Tykhyi said.
Broader European context
Meanwhile, Dan Jørgensen has urged EU countries to begin filling gas storage facilities in advance to avoid price spikes and supply competition, particularly amid instability linked to the Middle East.
He suggested lowering storage targets to 80% while maintaining flexibility under European Union regulations, with a deadline to complete storage filling by December 1.
Bottom line
Kyiv maintains that its energy system is stable and resilient, and that Hungary’s threats are politically motivated rather than posing an immediate risk to Ukraine’s gas security.
