Druzhba pipeline restoration is the primary demand as Hungary and Slovakia intend to completely halt diesel fuel exports to Ukraine. The two countries are demanding that Ukraine immediately repair the infrastructure, which was recently disabled by a Russian strike. To address the escalating crisis, the European Commission (EC) has called an emergency meeting of the Coordination Group for February 25.
While European Union authorities are attempting to avoid acting as an arbiter—stating they are not directly forcing the Ukrainian government to conduct repairs—Kyiv has accused its neighbors of “energy blackmail.” Ukrainian officials claim Budapest and Bratislava are attempting to maintain Russian energy supplies at any cost.
Oil Noose: Budapest and Bratislava Escalate the Confrontation
The energy crisis entered a phase of open confrontation after Peter Szijjarto and Robert Fico confirmed the suspension of petroleum product shipments. Hungary has explicitly linked the resumption of diesel supplies to the restoration of crude oil transit through the Ukrainian section of the pipeline near Brody.
The situation reached a deadlock after Croatia rejected Hungary’s request to use the Adriatic pipeline as an alternative route. Consequently, Budapest and Bratislava are now threatening to expand restrictions to electricity and gas supplies. Such a move could push Ukraine’s energy system toward collapse in the middle of winter.
Druzhba Pipeline: Brussels’ Position and Security Concerns
European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen maintains that the EU is not pressuring Kyiv, although the convening of an extraordinary group meeting underscores the gravity of the situation. EC analysts acknowledge that Hungary and Slovakia hold 90-day fuel reserves and are not currently risking their own energy security. However, they expressed concern for Ukrainian consumers. Ukraine is already grappling with widespread heating outages due to Russian attacks, and the loss of a key fuel import channel could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. The EC is now forced to maneuver between the interests of two member states and its continued support for Kyiv.
Ukraine’s Position
Heorhii Tykhyi of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry sharply criticized the actions of the neighboring states, comparing their reliance on Russian resources to an addiction. Kyiv insists that moving away from Russian fuel is a matter of survival for all of Europe, not just the Ukrainian economy.
NEWSROOM IN notes that an EU law mandating a complete phase-out of Russian fossil fuels by 2027 came into effect in January 2026. Hungary and Slovakia have already challenged this decision in court, demonstrating a willingness to break with the common European strategy to maintain low prices for raw materials.
We also remind that the Druzhba pipeline has been repeatedly attacked and damaged during the Russia-Ukraine war (2022–2026). Sources, including statements from Ukrainian and Hungarian officials as well as media reports, point to different responsible parties depending on the time and location of the incident. Thus, the Druzhba pipeline has been hit by both warring sides.
