Ukraine claims pipeline damaged by Russian drone strike and is repairing it
Slovakia and Hungary increasingly vocal in demanding pipeline restoration
EU failed to agree on new sanctions due to Hungary's veto linked to pipeline dispute
📖 Full Retelling
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on Monday, February 23, 2026, that his country will halt emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine until Kyiv reopens the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline that transports Russian oil to Slovakia, making good on an ultimatum he had issued to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Fico's decision came after he had given Ukraine a two-day ultimatum to resume oil flows through the pipeline, which was shut down following what Ukraine claimed was a Russian drone strike on the infrastructure in late January. In a video posted on his Facebook page, Fico stated that 'as of today, if the Ukrainian side turns to Slovakia with a request for assistance in stabilising the Ukrainian energy grid, such assistance will not be provided.' However, Ukraine's grid operator Ukrenergo indicated the halt would not significantly impact their energy grid, noting that Ukraine hadn't requested emergency assistance from Slovakia in over a month and only in very limited volumes when it did. The dispute highlights growing tensions between Central European nations dependent on Russian oil and Ukraine, which has been seeking to reduce its reliance on Russian energy amid the ongoing war. Slovakia and Hungary, both still dependent on Russian oil despite EU sanctions, have become increasingly vocal in demanding Ukraine resume deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline. Fico further threatened to reconsider Slovakia's 'previously constructive positions on Ukraine's EU membership' and refused to involve his country in the latest EU loan to Ukraine, claiming Ukraine's earlier halting of Russian gas supplies is costing Slovakia approximately $590 million annually. The European Union failed to agree on new sanctions against Russia for the fourth anniversary of the invasion, partly due to Hungary's veto, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also demanding the pipeline's reopening before supporting EU sanctions or financial aid to Ukraine.
🏷️ Themes
Energy Security, Geopolitical Tensions, EU Relations
The Druzhba pipeline (Russian: нефтепровод «Дружба», Czech: Ropovod Družba), also referred to as the Friendship Pipeline and the Comecon Pipeline, is one of the world's longest oil pipelines and one of the largest oil pipeline networks in the world. It began operation in 1964 and remains in operatio...
The petroleum or oil industry in Russia is one of the largest in the world. Russia has the largest reserves and was the largest exporter of natural gas. It has the sixth largest oil reserves, and is one of the largest producers of oil.
An essential tool of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) are restrictive measures, also known as "sanctions". They are utilized by the EU as a component of a coordinated and all-encompassing policy approach that includes political discussion, complementary actions, and the use of othe...
National security considerations of energy availability
Energy security is the association between national security and the availability of natural resources for energy consumption (as opposed to household energy insecurity). Access to cheaper energy has become essential to the functioning of modern economies. However, the uneven distribution of energy ...
This action escalates tensions between Slovakia and Ukraine, linking energy security to geopolitical disputes over Russian oil transit. It highlights the vulnerability of European energy interdependence and could influence broader EU support for Ukraine.
Context & Background
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico issued a two-day ultimatum to Ukraine
The Druzhba pipeline carrying Russian oil was shut down after a reported Russian drone strike in late January
Slovakia and Hungary rely on Russian oil via this pipeline, which was exempted from EU sanctions
Ukraine states it is repairing the pipeline damage, while Slovakia and Hungary blame Ukraine for the prolonged outage
What Happens Next
Ukraine may face increased pressure to reopen the Druzhba pipeline to restore energy cooperation. Slovakia has threatened further reciprocal steps and may reconsider its support for Ukraine's EU membership if the oil transit is not restored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Slovakia halt emergency power supplies to Ukraine?
Slovakia halted supplies because Ukraine has not reopened the Druzhba pipeline for Russian oil deliveries, following a two-day ultimatum from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
What is the Druzhba pipeline?
The Druzhba pipeline is a Soviet-era pipeline that transports Russian oil through Ukraine to Slovakia and Hungary, and it was exempted from EU sanctions on Russian oil.
How has Ukraine responded to the halt in power supplies?
Ukraine's grid operator stated it had not been officially informed and that the halt would not affect its power system, noting that emergency assistance from Slovakia was last requested over a month ago.
Original Source
News | Oil and Gas Slovakia halts emergency power supplies to Ukraine over Russian oil dispute Slovakia had issued a two-day ultimatum to Ukraine to reopen the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline so that it could receive Russian oil deliveries. Listen to this article | 3 mins By Al Jazeera Staff , AFP and Reuters Published On 23 Feb 2026 23 Feb 2026 Click here to share on social media Share Save Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has said his country will halt emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine until Kyiv reopens a key pipeline transporting Russian oil to Slovakia, making good on an ultimatum he issued to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Fico’s announcement on Monday came two days after he warned Zelenskyy on social media that he would ask state-owned company SEPS to halt emergency supplies of electricity if flows of Russian crude oil via the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline crossing Ukraine did not resume. Recommended Stories list of 3 items list 1 of 3 Thousands protest in Slovakia against Fico government’s judicial reforms list 2 of 3 EU agrees hefty $105bn Ukraine loan without using Russian assets list 3 of 3 EU indefinitely freezes hundreds of billions in Russian funds end of list “As of today, if the Ukrainian side turns to Slovakia with a request for assistance in stabilising the Ukrainian energy grid, such assistance will not be provided,” Fico said in a video on his Facebook page. Ukrainian grid operator Ukrenergo said in a statement that it had not been officially informed yet, but that it would “not affect the situation in the unified power system of Ukraine”. “The last time Ukraine requested emergency assistance from Slovakia was over a month ago and in a very limited volume,” it said. Fico said the stoppage would be lifted “as soon as the transit of oil to Slovakia is restored”. “Otherwise, we will take further reciprocal steps,” he said, adding his country would also reconsider “its previously constructive positions on Ukraine’s EU membership”. He sai...
