Defending Nato’s eastern flank from Russia would cost Poland 24 times its current defence budget, minister warns – Europe live

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.

In the days leading up to the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack across Ukraine, targeting energy, logistics, and water infrastructure. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy reported nearly 50 missiles and 297 drones were launched on Sunday, with a significant proportion intercepted. The attacks come amid stalled negotiations and escalating tensions between Ukraine and Hungary and Slovakia. Hungary is threatening to block a new round of EU sanctions against Russia, while Slovakia threatened to cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine, both demanding the resumption of Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline. EU foreign ministers are meeting to discuss the sanctions package, hoping for approval to coincide with the invasion anniversary.

On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the war, Russian attacks in Ukraine killed at least four people on Monday, February 23, 2026. Two deaths occurred in the Odesa region due to drone strikes targeting industrial, energy, and civilian infrastructure. In Zaporizhzhia, two more were killed during over 750 attacks on 44 settlements. A missile also struck Kharkiv's Kholodnogirsky district, with damage assessment underway. Both sides claim to have downed numerous drones. EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss a new loan for Kyiv and a 20th package of sanctions against Russia.

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.

Hungary is threatening to veto a 90 billion-euro EU loan to Ukraine unless Russian oil shipments via the Druzhba pipeline resume. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó claims Ukraine is intentionally halting oil transit to disrupt Hungary's fuel supply, accusing Kyiv of blackmail and violating EU agreements. The EU loan package, intended to support Ukraine's budgetary and military needs through 2027, requires unanimous approval. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has rejected Hungary's demands as "ultimatums and blackmail," asserting that such actions threaten regional energy security. The Druzhba pipeline remains a key route for Russian oil to Central Europe, despite broader EU efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

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.

A "terrorist attack" in Lviv, Ukraine, resulted in the death of a 23-year-old policewoman and injuries to 25 others early Sunday morning. Ukrainian authorities responded to a reported break-in when two explosions occurred, triggered by improvised explosive devices hidden in garbage bins. President Zelenskyy confirmed the detention of a 33-year-old woman from the Rivne region in connection with the attack, which occurred in the city center on Danylyshyn Street. Investigators allege the suspect acted under the direction of a "curator" linked to Russian special services and manufactured and planted the explosives. Interior Minister Klymenko stated there is reason to believe Russia ordered the attack, accusing them of targeting Ukrainian law enforcement.

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.

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, a Russian attack in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine killed two police officers during an evacuation in Seredniy Burlyk, also wounding five others. Kharkiv's regional head reported Russian attacks on the city and ten other areas in the past 24 hours, with 175 combat clashes recorded. Separately, a Russian air strike in Sumy injured three people, including two children and a senior citizen, damaging homes and a gas pipe. In response, Ukrainian drones targeted an industrial site in Russia's Udmurt Republic, injuring 11 people. The attacks are part of ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

On Saturday, Ukrainian drones struck an industrial site in Russia's Udmurt Republic, wounding 11 people. While regional head Alexander Brechalov confirmed the attack and resulting damage, he did not identify the specific site. However, a Russian news channel, Astra, reported the target was the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant, a key state-owned missile factory that produces Iskander and intercontinental ballistic missiles. The attack, which occurred over 1,400 kilometers from Ukraine, prompted the suspension of operations at the Udmurt Republic's main airport and others nearby. This strike follows unsuccessful U.S.-brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine held in Switzerland earlier in the week, as the fourth anniversary of the war approaches.

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.