Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Peter Szijjártó has called the disruption of Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 a terrorist act. He described the incident as the first attack of this scale on European critical infrastructure and urged that it be treated as terrorism. In remarks relayed by RIA Novosti, the minister stressed that such an assault is unthinkable and demands a comprehensive, in‑depth investigation. He questioned who is initiating the investigation and asserted that the United Nations should play a central role in this process. The minister argued that the UN was created not merely as a gathering of aligned states but as a platform for communication among nations. He believes the organization should provide mechanisms to investigate the incident and serve as a venue for ongoing discussions that can help resolve the situation.
Position of the Prime Minister of Hungary
The discussion around Nord Stream has also been framed by remarks attributed to Prime Minister Viktor Orban. RIA Novosti noted that Orban described the situation as a terrorist attack in October 2022. He stated that the Turkish Stream pipeline, which supplies Hungary, would be treated as a terrorist target if it were damaged or shut down, and that Hungary and Serbia would respond accordingly. In February, Orban weighed in on the Ukraine crisis and sanctions against Russia, urging opponents of a military solution to Ukraine to consider the views of those who advocate diplomatic outcomes, including voices from the United States and EU leadership. The prime minister, as reported by Magyar Nemzet, argued that Europe has weakened because Washington pushes its own interests at the expense of European concerns. He claimed that while sanctions are destabilizing the EU economy, the United States, with access to cheaper energy, avoids this fallout.
Orban criticized how arms supplies to Ukraine have affected European autonomy, saying Europe has lost independence, economic strength, and military power within a year. He stressed that Hungary should follow its own course, safeguarding political independence, stabilizing the economy, and strengthening national defense without becoming entangled in the Ukraine conflict.
What is known about the event
The night of September 26, 2022 saw explosions affecting two Nord Stream pipelines, both Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2, which run from the Baltic Sea bed toward Germany. Parts of the pipelines sustained significant damage, and Nord Stream AG reported that the explosions were unprecedented, making repairs unpredictable. Early assessments included joint investigations by Sweden, Germany, and Denmark, though that collaboration was later discontinued. By October 2022, Swedish authorities announced the completion of their inquiry, while noting strong suspicions of sabotage without naming any responsible party. The Kremlin labeled the incident an act of international terrorism and President Vladimir Putin accused Western nations of responsibility. Moscow has advocated for the creation of an international commission under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary‑General to examine the incident.
The discussion around the Nord Stream events has continued to surface questions about regional energy security, the balance of Western sanctions on Russia, and the broader geopolitical implications for the European Union. Observers have pointed to the role of energy policy in shaping European relations with major global players, and the importance of credible, multilateral inquiry mechanisms to address such crises. In the wake of conflicting narratives, the need for transparent, independent analysis remains a central concern for policymakers and the public alike. This topic intersects with discussions on national sovereignty, regional stability, and the future of energy infrastructure in the Baltic corridor, as nations seek accountability and resilience in critical networks.
Cited analyses emphasize the importance of building robust international cooperation to investigate the attack. They highlight the value of multilateral frameworks and diplomatic channels that can facilitate credible accountability while avoiding escalatory cycles. As investigations unfold, experts suggest that a clear, evidence‑based explanation will be essential to maintaining trust among European partners and ensuring that energy security remains a common objective across the continent.
Attribution: statements attributed to the Hungarian government and various news agencies reflect multiple perspectives on the incident and its aftermath. Analysts note the ongoing debate over responsibility, the interpretation of the events under international law, and the strategic implications for European energy policy and security architecture.