EditEU fractures: Hungary and Slovakia veto sanctions on Russia amid pipeline standoff
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced halting emergency electricity exports to Ukraine starting 24 February, the 4th anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion
In a dramatic escalation on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Hungary vetoed the European Union’s 20th package of sanctions against Moscow, with Slovakia unexpectedly joining the blockade.
The move, driven by an ongoing dispute over disrupted Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, has thrown EU support for Kyiv into disarray and heightened tensions within the bloc. European foreign ministers, gathered in Brussels, failed to sway the two nations, exposing deepening rifts as Ukraine faces intensified Russian assaults.
Hungary to block EU’s 20th package of Russia sanctions amid pipeline dispute
The veto centers on the Druzhba pipeline outage, which began on 27 January, after a Russian drone strike damaged infrastructure in western Ukraine, according to Kyiv officials. Hungary and Slovakia, the only EU members with refineries reliant on this Soviet-era route for Russian crude, have accused Ukraine of deliberately delaying repairs as political leverage. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, addressing parliament, labeled the situation “open political blackmail” and insisted his government would not yield, viewing the disruption as an “unprovoked act of hostility” undermining Hungary’s energy security.
Anniversary present for Putin
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico echoed this sentiment, announcing that Slovakia would halt emergency electricity exports to Ukraine starting 24 February unless oil flows resume. 24 February is the 4th anniversary since Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. “This is the first reciprocal step,” Fico stated, warning of further measures, including reconsidering support for Ukraine’s EU membership, if Kyiv continues to “harm Slovakia’s interests.”
The surprise element was Slovakia’s alignment with Hungary. While Orbán’s pro-Russian leanings – marked by frequent meetings with Vladimir Putin and criticism of EU sanctions as “prolonging the war” – made Budapest’s veto predictable, Bratislava’s involvement caught many off guard. Under Fico’s left-wing populist government, Slovakia has maintained warmer ties with Moscow than most NATO allies but had previously avoided outright blocking EU aid or sanctions. Analysts suggest domestic pressures, including energy vulnerabilities for Slovak refineries, prompted the shift. Ukraine relies on Slovakia and Hungary for about 68% of its imported electricity this month, per Kyiv-based consultancy ExPro, making the export halt a severe blow amid Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure that have already caused widespread blackouts.
Beyond sanctions, Hungary also blocked a €90 billion ($106 billion) loan for Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction, a package requiring unanimous EU approval. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the actions on X, urging that Hungary and Slovakia not be allowed to “hold the entire EU hostage” and calling for “constructive cooperation.”
The standoff occurs against a backdrop of fragile transatlantic relations and internal EU challenges. In Hungary, Orbán’s Fidesz party trails in polls ahead of the 12 April elections, where opposition leader Péter Magyar’s Tisza party campaigns on restoring EU ties to unlock frozen funds.
Meanwhile, Ukraine marked the invasion anniversary with reports of reclaiming 400 square kilometers in the south, though unverified, amid Russian drone attacks that killed two in Odesa.
Caption: Roundtable of the Foreign Affairs Council, 23 February 2026. [Council Newsroom]
Updated: February 24, 2026 - 07:52
