Orban appears to blame Kyiv for Serbian gas pipeline explosives find

Hungary is threatening to block the European Union's 20th round of sanctions against Russia, planned for discussion at the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels on Monday. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Hungary will not approve the sanctions package until Russian oil deliveries to Hungary resume via the Druzhba pipeline. Deliveries have been interrupted since January 27, reportedly due to damage from Russian drone attacks on the pipeline within Ukrainian territory. Hungary accuses Ukraine of deliberately withholding the oil shipments. Because the EU requires unanimous agreement from all 27 member nations for sanctions to pass, Hungary's opposition could stall the entire package, which the EU hopes to approve by the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Tuesday.

On the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, EU support is faltering as Hungary threatens to block both a new package of sanctions against Russia and a €90 billion ($106 billion) financial aid package for Ukraine. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains close ties with Russia, has a history of delaying EU sanctions. Ukraine needs the aid package to fund its defense and essential needs, expecting the first installments this spring to avoid a budget crisis. Hungary cites disruptions to the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Russian oil, as the reason for its opposition, despite Ukraine stating the damage was caused by a Russian attack and repairs are underway. The EU is attempting to resolve the situation, but Hungary's stance highlights the challenges of the bloc's consensus-based decision-making.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on February 23, 2026, that Slovakia is halting emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine. This action follows a two-day ultimatum issued to Ukraine to reopen the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Slovakia. Fico stated that the stoppage will remain in effect until oil transit resumes, citing a "purely political decision" by Ukraine to halt supplies. Ukraine claims the pipeline was shut down due to a Russian drone strike in late January. While Ukraine's grid operator stated they haven't been officially informed and it won't significantly impact their power system, Fico threatened further reciprocal steps, including reconsidering Slovakia's support for Ukraine's EU membership. Slovakia and Hungary, both reliant on Russian oil, have been urging Ukraine to resume deliveries.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán accused Ukraine of pursuing an "anti-Hungarian policy" and endangering Hungary's energy supply by blocking the Druzhba oil pipeline, which carries Russian oil through Ukraine to Hungary. Orbán published an open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanding a change in policy and ordered increased security at Hungary's critical energy infrastructure sites, citing alleged Ukrainian actions to disrupt the country's energy system. Ukrainian officials deny blocking the pipeline, attributing disruptions to Russian drone attacks. Hungary has threatened to block a proposed €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine unless Russian oil shipments resume. The accusations come as Orbán faces an upcoming election and as billboards depicting Zelenskyy asking for money have appeared across Hungary.

The article reports on several European developments. Firstly, Poland estimates that defending NATO's eastern flank from Russia would cost €1.2 trillion, 24 times its current defense budget. Secondly, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has requested the EU establish a fact-finding mission to inspect the Druzhba pipeline, citing escalating tensions with Ukraine and disruptions to oil transit affecting Hungary and Slovakia. Orbán assured the EU that Hungary would accept the mission's findings. Finally, Nordic countries are on high alert due to a potential threat against their energy infrastructure, allegedly linked to a foreign power. Authorities and police units are closely monitoring critical infrastructure in response to the reported threat.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban ordered increased security at critical energy infrastructure sites, alleging Ukraine is planning to disrupt Hungary's energy system. Orban stated intelligence services indicated Kyiv is preparing actions to disrupt operations, citing an existing "oil blockade" as pressure. He announced the deployment of soldiers and increased police patrols around key facilities. This follows accusations from Budapest that Kyiv is deliberately holding back Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, which Ukraine denies, attributing disruptions to a Russian drone attack. Hungary, along with Slovakia, maintains significant Russian energy imports despite the war in Ukraine and has threatened to block EU aid to Kyiv until oil shipments resume. The Druzhba pipeline has been out of commission since January 27.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused Ukraine of disrupting oil supplies to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline, which has been halted since January 27th, allegedly due to Russian strikes. Orban claims Ukraine is deliberately delaying the pipeline's reopening, imposing an "oil blockade," and has stationed soldiers at key Hungarian energy facilities in response. Ukraine has not responded to the accusations, but has been attacking Russian oil facilities, including the Druzhba pipeline section in Russia. Hungary vetoed a €90bn EU loan to Ukraine over the dispute. The EU states that Hungary and Slovakia are not at risk of oil shortage, as alternative sources, including the Adria pipeline, can cover their needs.

Hungary is posing an obstacle to the European Union's plan to loan 90 billion euros to Ukraine. During a meeting of ambassadors on Friday, Hungary raised an objection, delaying the plan to fund the loan by issuing debt backed by the EU budget. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that Hungary is blocking the loan until oil transit to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline resumes, accusing Ukraine of blackmail by halting oil transit in coordination with Brussels. The Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Russian crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia, is experiencing disruptions. The move comes as Ukraine urgently needs funding and ahead of an April election in Hungary. The EU requires unanimous approval from all 27 member nations to proceed with the loan.

Hungary has threatened to block a 90 billion euro EU loan to Ukraine, citing halted oil shipments via the Druzhba pipeline. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto accused Ukraine of "blackmail" and violating the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement after oil flows stopped on January 27th, reportedly due to a Russian drone attack. Hungary and Slovakia, reliant on Druzhba for Russian oil, have blamed Ukraine for delaying the restart of flows. To address the shortage, Hungary announced it would tap into its strategic oil reserves, though Croatia's JANAF pipeline operator stated that there was no need to do so as they are transporting non-Russian oil for MOL Group.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has threatened to cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine if it does not resume pumping Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline within two days. Oil flows were halted after a reported Russian drone strike in late January 2026. Slovakia and Hungary, both reliant on Russian oil, are demanding Ukraine resume deliveries. Fico accused Ukrainian President Zelenskyy of acting maliciously towards Slovakia, citing previous gas supply disruptions and Slovakia's refusal to participate in a 90 billion euro military loan for Ukraine. Slovakia is a key electricity provider for Ukraine, which has suffered damage to its grid from Russian attacks. The ultimatum highlights tensions between Slovakia and Ukraine amidst ongoing debates over EU financial aid to Ukraine.