2026 Druzhba pipeline dispute

Dispute

Fuel export suspension

On February 18, 2026, in a coordinated response to the transit disruption, the governments of Slovakia and Hungary officially suspended all diesel fuel exports to Ukraine, a move that significantly intensified the energy pressure on Kyiv during a critical winter period.

Robert Fico defended this escalation by arguing that it was no longer sustainable or justifiable for Slovakia to continue supplying critical refined petroleum products and humanitarian energy assistance while its own national energy security and economic interests were being directly compromised by Ukrainian transit decisions. He characterized the situation as a fundamental breach of reciprocity, asserting that Slovakia could not be expected to bolster Ukraine's infrastructure and military logistics with fuel exports while Bratislava's primary source of crude oil remained blocked by Ukrainian authorities. This suspension was particularly impactful as the Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava had previously been a primary supplier of diesel for Ukraine's agricultural and defense sectors.

EU accession support withdrawal

In addition to energy-based retaliatory measures, the Slovak government significantly escalated the diplomatic stakes of the conflict. Fico explicitly threatened that Slovakia would withdraw its support for Ukraine's accession to the European Union if the oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline was not immediately restored.

While Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has consistently opposed Ukraine's EU membership on ideological and economic grounds, the threat to block EU membership marks a notable policy shift for Fico, who historically voiced support for Ukraine's European ambitions.

EU loan to Ukraine

On February 20, 2026, Hungary announced it would block a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine until the resumption of oil supplies to the country via the Druzhba pipeline.

Termination of electricity supplies

On February 21, Robert Fico escalated the energy standoff by issuing a direct ultimatum to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy via social media. He declared that if oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline was not restored by Monday, February 23, he would instruct the state grid operator to terminate all emergency electricity assistance.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially condemned the actions of Bratislava as "unacceptable energy blackmail," asserting that the government of Slovakia was issuing irresponsible ultimatums during a critical winter period. "Ultimatums should be sent to the Kremlin, and certainly not to Kyiv", the ministry said, maintaining that the disruption of the Druzhba pipeline was a direct result of Russian aggression rather than Ukrainian policy. Kyiv argued that such retaliatory measures from Bratislava only serve to undermine European solidarity and play into the hands of the aggressor.

On February 22, Fico released a video statement on social media announcing that he would request the state-owned grid operator Slovenská elektrizačná prenosová sústava (SEPS) to stop emergency electricity deliveries. He stated, "If the (Ukrainian) President tells us we should buy gas and oil elsewhere than in Russia, even if it is harder and more expensive... we have the right to respond".

On February 23, Fico conducted a high-profile visit to the headquarters of SEPS accompanied by Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický. During this meeting, Fico formally requested the immediate termination of emergency electricity assistance to Ukraine.

In clarifying the nature of this aid, Fico emphasized that Slovakia does not provide a constant flow of power, but rather "emergency assistance" intended to stabilize the Ukrainian grid and facilitate a "system restart" during critical blackouts.

20th sanctions package

On February 23, Slovakia joined Hungary in blocking the European Union's 20th sanctions package against Russia, preventing its adoption ahead of the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Fico specifically linked his opposition to the suspension of oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, characterizing the situation as a deliberate provocation by Ukraine.

EU High Representative Kaja Kallas expressed deep regret over the deadlock, describing it as a "setback and message we didn't want to send" on such a somber anniversary. Kallas emphasized that the vetoes undermine the "principle of sincere cooperation" enshrined in EU treaties and criticized the use of unrelated energy disputes to block support for Ukraine.

Adria pipeline

Zelenskyy revealed that Croatia had officially offered Hungary and Slovakia the necessary capacity to replace all Russian oil imports, but that Viktor Orbán had refused. Zelenskyy stated that the refusal proves the dispute is not about energy security, but rather a political preference, saying, "They don't want to use the Croatian route because it’s not Russian oil. They want to pay Russia." He emphasized that by rejecting this European alternative, Hungary and Slovakia are choosing to maintain a financial lifeline to Moscow despite the technical risks to the Druzhba pipeline.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković offered the Adria pipeline as a cheaper and more reliable alternative, claiming its transit fees would be three times lower than those of the Druzhba route.

On March 4, 2026, the MOL Group (parent company of Slovnaft), acting on behalf of its Hungarian and Slovak subsidiaries including Slovnaft, filed a formal complaint with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition. The filing officially rejects Croatia's terms for using the Adria pipeline, accusing the Croatian operator, JANAF, of abusing its dominant market position to engage in "unjustified pricing and negotiation practices".

MOL argues that JANAF is exploiting the current energy crisis, to charge transit fees that are actually three to four times higher than fair market benchmarks, such as those of the TAL pipeline serving Austria and Germany. Beyond the financial cost, the complaint alleges that Croatia is engaging in a "refusal of supply" by intentionally delaying the acceptance of legally permitted seaborne Russian oil shipments, citing unnecessary "legal reviews" as a delay tactic that directly endangers the energy security of Central Europe.

In addition to these claims, MOL and Slovnaft have characterized the situation as a "stalemate" where Brussels has theoretically permitted the import of seaborne Russian oil due to the Druzhba pipeline outage, but Croatia continues to block it due to its interpretation of EU and U.S. (OFAC) sanctions. While EU sanctions include an exemption allowing landlocked countries to import Russian crude by sea if their primary pipeline route is disrupted, JANAF has reportedly demanded that MOL obtain specific, separate permits from both the EU and the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control for each shipment. MOL has rejected this demand as "unrealistic" and an "unjustified bureaucratic obstacle," arguing that no such individual permits are required under existing law as long as the involved entities are not on sanctions lists.

The Croatian operator JANAF issued a statement asserting that oil supplies for Hungary and Slovakia are fully secured and under no threat, emphasizing that they have already transported significant quantities of non-sanctioned oil for MOL in recent weeks.

Further developments

February 2026

On the night of February 22–23, 2026, Ukrainian long-range drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) struck the Kaleykino oil pumping station in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, located approximately 1,200 km (750 miles) from the border. The facility serves as a critical strategic hub for the Druzhba pipeline network, receiving and mixing crude oil from Western Siberia and the Volga region before exporting it to Central and Eastern Europe. Local residents reported six to seven powerful explosions followed by a large-scale fire that reportedly engulfed two storage tanks, each with a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters. Ukrainian officials characterized the operation as part of a systematic effort to reduce Russia's oil revenues, while the strike further intensified diplomatic tensions with Hungary and Slovakia, who are already facing supply disruptions via the pipeline.

On February 25, 2026, the European Commission's Oil Coordination Group confirmed that there is "no immediate risk" to the energy security of Slovakia or Hungary, noting that both countries have successfully begun utilizing their strategic reserves.

Croatia confirmed that the Adria pipeline (JANAF) is already actively transporting non-Russian crude to refineries in both nations, with additional seaborne shipments already in transit to Croatian terminals. While the Commission urged Ukraine to accelerate repairs on the Druzhba pipeline, it emphasized that the Croatian route remains a viable and high-capacity alternative to fully cover the needs of the affected member states.

In a social media post on February 27, 2026, Fico detailed a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Fico asserted Slovakia's "legitimate right" to Russian oil imports until 2027 under EU exemptions and highlighted the significant economic damage caused by the shutdown.

In response, Fico proposed an international inspection team—composed of EU and Member State experts—to verify the technical state of the pipeline, noting that Ukraine had previously blocked Slovak and EU diplomats from visiting the site. While Zelenskyy reportedly rejected the inspection due to security service objections, he invited the Slovak side to a broader bilateral meeting to discuss all aspects of Slovak-Ukrainian cooperation. Fico accepted the invitation but specified a preference for the meeting to take place within an EU member state. Fico concluded by stating he was left with the "unequivocal feeling" that Ukraine has no genuine interest in restoring the oil flow.

March 2026

On March 2, 2026, Zelenskyy criticized the "purely pragmatic" stance of Robert Fico and Viktor Orbán, accusing them of ingratitude for ignoring the human cost of maintaining the Druzhba pipeline under fire. He revealed that Ukrainian workers were injured while repairing damage from Russian strikes, noting that neither leader expressed sympathy for the casualties.

On March 4, 2026, Fico accused Zelenskyy of "deliberate lies", he stated that his distrust of the Ukrainian leader is so absolute that "he doesn't even believe President Zelenskyy has a nose between his eyes". Fico claimed to possess satellite images confirming that the main transit route remains functional, despite Ukraine’s assertion that Russian strikes on January 27 caused debilitating internal damage. Zelenskyy argues that satellite views cannot show destroyed control panels or underground pipe damage, making them an insufficient tool for assessing the pipeline's true operational status.

On March 5, Zelenskyy escalated tensions with Viktor Orbán by suggesting he would give the Hungarian leader’s address to Ukrainian soldiers so they could "speak their own language" with him. These remarks were made in response to Orbán blocking a vital €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine, a move Budapest linked to disruptions in the Druzhba oil pipeline. The European Commission condemned Zelenskyy’s rhetoric as "unacceptable," emphasizing that no EU member state should be subject to threats.

Zelenskyy has said he would prefer not to repair the Druzhba oil pipeline, by saying "my position, which is shared with European leaders, is that I would not repair the pipeline".

On March 10, Fico met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Paris during the World Nuclear Forum to address the suspension of oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline. During the meeting, Fico presented satellite imagery which he claimed proved the pipeline remained technically functional despite Ukrainian reports of irreversible damage from Russian drone strikes. According to Fico, both parties reached a consensus that restoring the flow of Russian crude is a regional priority, with the European Commission reportedly offering to provide both technical expertise and direct financing for any necessary repairs. Additionally, the leaders discussed the formation of an independent international inspection team to verify the status of the infrastructure in Ukraine as a step toward de-escalating the crisis.

On March 11, during a government session attended by President Peter Pellegrini, Fico announced that the state would release 250,000 tons of crude oil from its strategic reserves to the Slovnaft refinery. While the Slovak Constitution allows the President to attend and preside over government meetings at their discretion, such participation is highly unusual and typically reserved for moments of extreme national significance. Fico stated that this emergency loan is intended to maintain standard production for at least another month. The Prime Minister characterized the crisis as a double blow caused by President Zelenskyy’s decision to halt transit and the rising global oil prices linked to the Iran war. While Fico emphasized that Slovakia maintains a valid EU exemption to use Russian oil until 2027, he noted that Slovnaft is already securing alternative tanker deliveries to supplement the depleted state reserves.

On March 15, Zelenskyy issued a formal statement addressing the link between energy transit and military aid, explicitly labeling the pressure from European neighbors as "blackmail". He articulated his position by stating: "I will say it openly: I am against it. But when I am given the condition that Ukraine will not receive weapons, then, excuse me, I am powerless in this matter. I told our friends in Europe that this is called blackmail".

On March 18, the Slovak government approved a resolution allowing gas stations to charge higher prices for foreign-registered vehicles to combat "fuel tourism". The policy officially took effect at midnight on March 19, 2026, aiming to stabilize domestic supply after a surge of drivers from neighboring countries caused fuel shortages at border stations. While Slovak authorities framed the 30-day emergency regulation as a necessary step for national energy security, the measure immediately drew scrutiny for its potential violation of European Union non-discrimination laws.

The European Commission formally condemned the measure as "highly discriminatory". Commission spokesperson Ricardo Cardoso stated that while the EU understands the need to support citizens during an energy crisis, such unilateral actions violate EU non-discrimination laws and undermine the integrity of the single market. The Commission warned it would take "appropriate legal action" to ensure Slovak compliance with Union law.

During the EU summit in Brussels on March 19, Fico broke consensus by refusing to sign the European Council’s joint conclusions regarding Ukraine. Speaking from the summit, Fico criticized EU leadership and warned of "further measures" against Kyiv if it continued to "deliberately inflict economic damage" by obstructing the Druzhba pipeline. He accused President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of "illegitimate interference" in regional energy security and lambasted the European Union for failing to "persuade or force" Ukraine to restore oil flows.

On March 25, Hungarian Prime minister Viktor Orbán said Hungary will gradually suspend gas supplies to Ukraine until Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline resumes, citing disruptions to deliveries crossing Ukraine.

On March 26, Branislav Gröhling, chairman of the opposition party Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), announced that the Slovak police had officially launched an investigation into Prime Minister Robert Fico for high treason. The investigation began after a criminal complaint was filed on February 24, 2026. With nearly 13,000 citizens signing it, this has been described as the largest criminal complaint in Slovak history. The allegations center on Fico’s decision to stop emergency electricity and diesel supplies to Ukraine, a move the opposition claims was coordinated with a foreign power to undermine Slovakia's security and state interests. Under Section 311 of the Slovak Criminal Code, high treason (vlastizrada) is defined as an intentional act committed by a Slovak citizen in coordination with a foreign power or a foreign agent to dismantle the country's constitutional system, sovereignty, or territorial integrity. It is considered the most serious crime against the Republic, as it involves the betrayal of the state's fundamental safety and independence.

April 2026

On April 14, after the 2026 Hungarian parliamentary election, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Druzhba pipeline will be repaired by the end of April.

On April 17, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár announced that Slovakia would veto the European Union's 20th sanctions package against Russia unless it received a "clear, transparent, and verifiable" guarantee that the Druzhba oil pipeline would be reopened. Speaking to the Slovak Parliament’s European Affairs Committee, Blanár stated that the country has "no other tools" to pressure Zelensky and the European Commission to restart operations.

Result

The oil dispute concluded on April 23, 2026, as crude oil flows through the southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline were officially restored. The crisis ended when Slovak officials confirmed that supply levels had returned to normal at the Budkovce pumping station.

This resolution resulted in the immediate unblocking of a €90 billion EU financial aid package for Ukraine and the unanimous approval of the 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia.

The standoff prompted Slovakia to permanently diversify its energy infrastructure by expanding the Adria pipeline and upgrading domestic refineries to process non-Russian crude. While the restoration of flows allowed for the resumption of Slovak electricity and diesel exports to Ukraine, the dispute resulted in a long-term degradation of diplomatic trust and bilateral relations between the two governments.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico labeled the restoration of the Druzhba pipeline a "fantastic message for the energy security of Slovakia" and a success of his government's "sovereign foreign policy". He asserted that the prompt resumption of flow at 2:00 AM on April 23 was "clear confirmation" that the pipeline had not been physically damaged, alleging instead that the infrastructure and the oil itself had been used as "tools in a geopolitical battle". Fico credited the reopening to a combination of "sovereign pressure" from Bratislava and cooperation with the Hungarian government and the European Commission. While acknowledging that the resolution unblocked EU loans for Ukraine, he reiterated that Slovakia remained opposed to participating in those specific financial aid programs. Fico further remarked that trust between Bratislava and Kyiv remained "badly damaged".

Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine had fulfilled its technical obligations by completing repairs under difficult wartime conditions and expected the restoration to lead to the immediate release of the stalled EU financial support.

Reactions

Following Prime Minister Robert Fico's official request to terminate emergency electricity assistance to Ukraine on February 23, 2026, a wave of domestic and international reactions highlighted the deep polarization over the decision.

Domestic

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini stated, that diplomatic negotiations should be given space as soon as possible regarding the energy supply issue. He emphasized that these talks are necessary to urgently resume the delivery of oil to Slovakia and electricity to Ukraine.

Fico's coalition partner Slovak National Party (SNS), led by Andrej Danko, fully supported the move, calling it a "clear and vigorous step" against Ukrainian "extortion".

Michal Šimečka, leader of the opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS), described the move as an "unbelievable shame", particularly as it coincided with the anniversary of the Russian invasion. He argued that the move would damage Slovakia's reputation and that neighboring countries like Poland or Romania would likely compensate for the energy shortfall.

The opposition party Freedom and Solidarity filed a criminal complaint against the government for the suspension of emergency electricity. Representatives of the party characterized the decision as a "crime against humanity", arguing that cutting off energy supplies to a country at war is a violation of basic humanitarian principles.

International

Ukraine: On February 23, 2026, the Ukrainian national operator Ukrenergo stated that while they had not requested emergency assistance from Slovakia in several weeks, the unilateral termination of the agreement undermines regional energy solidarity. Kyiv maintains that the loss of Slovak emergency supplies will not immediately collapse the grid, but complicates technical stability during peak loads.

Russia: On February 26, 2026, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia views the suspension of oil transit as "sabotage by the Kyiv regime". He praised the "absolutely clear and consistent positions" of Bratislava and Budapest in defending their national economic interests against Ukrainian actions.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized the European Union's response, calling the "inaction of Brussels" surprising given that the blockade "threatens the energy security of Hungary, Slovakia, and all of Europe".

Hungary: On February 22, 2026, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó signaled a more cautious approach toward halting electricity supplies to Ukraine, stepping back from earlier threats of a total cutoff. He explained that since nearly half of Ukraine's electricity imports come from Hungary, stopping these exports would primarily cause suffering for the ethnic Hungarian community living in the Zakarpattia region. Szijjártó clarified that Budapest's dispute is specifically with the Ukrainian government and President Zelenskyy, not the Ukrainian people.

Czech Republic: Former Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala issued a stinging rebuke of the Slovak government's decision. In a statement on February 23, Fiala described the cutting of electricity to a country at war as "criminal conduct". He argued that such a move crosses a moral line, stating that "to leave people in the dark and cold while they are defending themselves against an aggressor is not a legitimate tool of diplomacy, but an act of cruelty". Fiala further noted that this decision would lead to the total international isolation of the Fico government within the EU and NATO.

Czech politician Tomáš Zdechovský, who represents the Czech Republic in the European Parliament, strongly criticized the Slovak government's decision on social media, emphasizing that "true character reveals itself in times of crisis". He stated that Poland and Romania are prepared to intervene and replace the electricity supplies previously provided by Slovakia.

European Union: Brussels has officially rejected the claims by Fico and Orbán that the transit halt is a political maneuver by Kyiv. The Commission stated it relies on technical data showing the pipeline was damaged by Russian airstrikes and that repairs are being hampered by ongoing security risks.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas have strongly criticized the linkage of the oil dispute to the €90 billion "Steel Porcupine" loan and the 20th sanctions package. Von der Leyen stated that the loan agreement "cannot be broken" and that the EU would deliver the funds to Ukraine "one way or the other," even if it requires bypass mechanisms to circumvent the Hungarian and Slovak vetoes.