KIEV, Ukraine — Tensions between Ukraine and its European Union neighbors Hungary and Slovakia escalated over the weekend as Kiev accused the two countries of provocation and blackmail in a heated dispute over energy supplies. The conflict centers on the resumption of Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline, which Ukraine halted following damage from Russian attacks. Hungary and Slovakia, which rely heavily on the pipeline for their energy needs, have threatened to cut off emergency power supplies to Ukraine unless the oil transit resumes by Monday.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha sharply criticized the threats in a post on X on Saturday, stating, "Statements from Budapest and Bratislava are provocative, irresponsible, and threaten the energy security of the entire region." He added that Kiev is considering activating an early warning mechanism in its Association Agreement with the European Union to address the situation.
The Druzhba pipeline, one of Europe's largest oil transport systems, has been a lifeline for Hungary and Slovakia, allowing them to receive relatively cheap Russian oil even as Western sanctions aim to isolate Moscow economically. Unlike other EU member states that have phased out such imports, these two landlocked nations continue to depend on the route, which runs through Ukraine from Russia. Ukrainian officials maintain that the pipeline was damaged during Russian missile strikes and that repair work is currently underway, despite ongoing risks from further attacks.
However, Hungarian and Slovak leaders have accused Ukraine of deliberately blocking the deliveries. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned that if oil transit to Slovakia is not resumed by Monday, he would instruct the state grid operator SEPS to halt emergency power supplies to Ukraine. According to a government statement quoted by the Czech news agency CTK, Fico's directive underscores the urgency of the issue amid concerns over energy stability in the region.
Hungary has taken an even more aggressive stance. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán hinted earlier this week that his country could disrupt power supplies to Ukraine if the oil flow is not restored. On Friday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that Budapest would block the European Union's proposed €90 billion ($106 billion) loan to Ukraine until the Druzhba pipeline transit to Hungary resumes.
Orbán has framed the dispute in domestic political terms, suggesting that Ukraine's actions are aimed at influencing Hungary's upcoming parliamentary elections on April 12. He expressed the view that Kiev wants heating costs in Hungary to rise by blocking the pipeline, thereby potentially harming his government's re-election chances. "Ukraine is interested in me losing the parliamentary election," Orbán reportedly said, linking the energy row to broader geopolitical maneuvering.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry fired back, urging Budapest and Bratislava to direct their grievances toward the Kremlin rather than Kiev. In a statement, the ministry criticized the threats to withhold electricity, heating, and gas from Ukrainians during a period of extreme cold weather. "The governments of Hungary and Slovakia are not only playing into the hands of the aggressor, but also harming their own energy companies that supply energy on a commercial basis," the ministry said.
The ministry further argued that the continued purchases of Russian gas and oil by Hungary and Slovakia directly finance Moscow's war against Ukraine. This perspective highlights a deeper rift within the EU, where support for Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion since February 2022 has been uneven. While most EU countries have imposed strict sanctions on Russian energy imports, Hungary and Slovakia have secured exemptions, citing their geographic and economic dependencies.
The Druzhba pipeline, operational since the Soviet era, stretches over 4,000 kilometers and has historically supplied oil to several Central European countries. Its southern branch, passing through Ukraine, was partially shut down in 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion began, prompting alternative arrangements for some users. Hungary and Slovakia, however, negotiated deals to maintain flows, paying Ukraine transit fees in the process. Recent disruptions, attributed by Ukraine to war-related damage, have reignited debates over energy security and solidarity within the bloc.
Experts note that the current standoff could have ripple effects across Europe, especially as winter deepens and energy prices remain volatile. Ukraine, which has faced repeated Russian assaults on its energy infrastructure, relies on imports from the EU to supplement its battered grid. Slovakia and Hungary, in turn, argue that any interruption in Russian oil supplies would force them to seek costlier alternatives, potentially destabilizing their economies.
According to Ukrainian officials, repair crews are working around the clock on the damaged sections of the pipeline, but safety concerns from potential missile strikes complicate the timeline. No specific completion date has been announced, leaving the Monday deadline imposed by Fico hanging in uncertainty. Meanwhile, the EU has not yet commented officially on the loan blockage or the power supply threats, though diplomatic channels are reportedly active.
The broader context of this dispute is intertwined with Hungary's often contentious relationship with the EU and Ukraine. Orbán's government has frequently clashed with Brussels over rule-of-law issues and has been criticized for its relatively soft stance on Russia. Slovakia, under Fico's leadership since his return to power last year, has also shifted toward a more Russia-friendly policy, drawing ire from Kyiv and Western allies.
As the deadline approaches, both sides appear entrenched. Ukraine insists that the pipeline issues stem from the war it did not start, while Hungary and Slovakia demand uninterrupted access to vital resources. The potential activation of the EU Association Agreement's early warning mechanism by Ukraine could escalate the matter to a bloc-wide level, prompting mediation efforts.
Looking ahead, the energy row underscores the challenges of maintaining unity in the EU amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. With Russian forces continuing advances in eastern Ukraine and winter hardships mounting, the stakes for energy diplomacy are higher than ever. Observers will watch closely to see if cooler heads prevail or if the threats materialize, potentially straining relations further at a critical juncture.
For now, the dispute remains unresolved, with Monday's deadline looming as a potential flashpoint. Ukrainian officials have called for restraint, emphasizing that true energy security for the region lies in ending Russia's aggression, not in bilateral finger-pointing.