On the 27th local time, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Péter Szijjártó stated at a joint press conference held with Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, that Hungary and Serbia will construct a new semi-finished oil product pipeline in addition to the originally planned crude oil pipeline, in order to enhance the energy supply security of both countries.

Szijjártó stated that to curb the ability of Ukraine and the EU to use energy to "blackmail" landlocked European countries, Hungary is accelerating the construction of the crude oil pipeline between Hungary and Serbia. It is entirely possible for this pipeline to be completed by the end of next year. In addition, the two countries will also build a new pipeline for transporting semi-finished oil products. This will enhance the energy supply security of both nations. In the future, the coordination of the oil, gasoline, and diesel markets among the three landlocked countries—Slovakia, Hungary, and Serbia—will enable them to better resist external "energy blackmail."

Szijjártó also mentioned that Serbia's oil company plans to supply 25,000 tons of diesel to Hungary in March to alleviate Hungary's energy difficulties. Furthermore, Hungary's oil and gas company has reached an agreement with the Russian shareholders of Serbia's oil company regarding the acquisition of the Russian shares and is currently engaged in related negotiations with the U.S. government, with progress going smoothly. Szijjártó believes this is also one of the best ways to resist external energy blackmail.

Previously, due to the involvement of Russian capital in its ownership structure, Serbia's oil company was subject to U.S. sanctions, placing significant pressure on its refining, crude oil supply, and market operations. Serbia has repeatedly applied to the United States, hoping to ensure national energy security and market stability by adjusting the ownership structure or obtaining exemptions under the sanctions.