Speaking at a briefing with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Zelenskyy announced that the Druzhba pipeline — through which Russian oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia — would be back in operation by the end of April.
"The reservoirs won't all be repaired — it's a long process — but the question is whether it will be able to function, and yes. By the end of April," Zelenskyy said, according to Ukrainian media reports.
The president did not specify the nature or extent of damage requiring repair.
Easter and elections: "Very symbolic"
Zelensky drew a pointed connection between the timing of Hungary's parliamentary vote on April 12 and Ukraine's celebration of Orthodox Easter the same day.
"The elections were on 12 April. The Hungarian people made their choice. In Ukraine, that day was Easter — the victory of light over darkness. I think this is very symbolic," he said.
Tisza party leader Péter Magyar won over 53% of the vote in Sunday's elections, securing a constitutional majority of 138 seats in parliament — the first change of power in Hungary in 16 years.
Ukraine and Hungary: Expectations for a reset
Zelenskyy expressed confidence in future cooperation with Budapest, framing it in terms of neighborly ties rather than political alignment.
"I am certain we will cooperate with Hungary, because we have good relations between people. We must preserve these relations and complement each other — we are neighbors," he said.
He added that relations with Hungary's incoming government should be built "on agreements, on cooperation, on mutual respect," saying this would strengthen both states. Zelenskyy said he is ready to meet with Hungary's new leadership.
The remarks carried implicit significance: Orbán's government had blocked a €90 billion EU credit for Kyiv, among other Ukraine-related EU decisions. Zelenskyy expressed hope the pipeline repair timeline would coincide with Hungary meeting its broader EU obligations.
In March, Zelenskyy had said Ukraine would restore normal relations with Hungary when Orbán lost at the ballot box. On 5 April, Budanov said the situation with neighboring countries, including Hungary, "is not permanent," adding that "nothing is eternal — neither the power in Hungary, nor the situation that has developed now."
