Orban appears to blame Ukraine after explosives found on gas pipeline to Hungary
Discovery on Serbian border comes as the Hungarian leader faces a tight election and ‘false flag’ accusations from opposition
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Sunday appeared to suggest Ukraine was involved in planning an act of sabotage after Serbia reported finding explosives on a gas pipeline used to transport Russian natural gas to the two countries.
Earlier on Sunday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said explosives “of devastating force” were found on the Balkan Stream pipeline near the village of Velebit on the Hungarian border.
The pipeline transports Russian natural gas from Turkey via Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary.
Vucic and Orban – who are both friendly towards Russia and maintain good bilateral relations – discussed the matter by phone and said investigations were ongoing. Orban said Hungary’s defence council would hold an emergency session to discuss the matter.
Hungary is due to hold a parliamentary election in a week, on April 12, and polls suggest Orban’s Fidesz party could lose out to the conservative opposition Respect and Freedom Party (Tisza).
For months, Orban has been campaigning for votes primarily by criticising Ukraine and the EU aid provided to the country amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.