"Hungarian Minister Peter Szijjarto from Belgrade on Friday, said Hungary and Serbia agreed to speed up work on an oil pipeline to beat what he called 'Ukrainian‑style political blackmail', as Kiev has not restored oil flows via the Druzhba pipeline for nearly a month. "To curb the Brussels and Kiev energy blackmail capabilities as soon as possible, we agreed we will expedite preparations for the construction of the oil pipeline connecting Hungary and Serbia," Szijjarto said. "One of the best tools is for MOL to purchase the Serbian oil company. And thus the oil markets of three landlocked countries, Slovakia, Hungary and Serbia, the gasoline and diesel markets will operate in coordination with each other, making us much more resilient to Ukrainian‑type blackmail to the Ukrainian‑type blackmail," he added. Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned that Budapest will use military force to protect critical energy infrastructure, as no crude oil has been delivered into the country since January 27. On the same day, an emergency Oil Coordination Group meeting was convened after Hungary and Slovakia halted diesel supplies to Ukraine. In turn, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged Zelensky to 'accelerate' repairs. Hungary and Slovakia have accused Ukraine of deliberately halting oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline from Russia for political reasons and have sought alternatives such as Croatia's Adriatic pipeline. As part of the plan, Hungary's state energy company MOL is set to buy Serbia's main oil firm. Budapest says the deal will link the oil markets of Hungary, Slovakia and Serbia, cutting their exposure to supply threats. The two countries also agreed to draft a bilateral energy pact. Meanwhile, Kiev claims the line was damaged by a 'Russian attack' and denied Hungarian claims that it is demanding money and weapons in exchange for resuming Druzhba supplies."