Feb 23, 2026
Hungary will prevent new EU sanctions on Russia due to the Ukraine pipeline conflict.
Hungary will prevent the European Union from moving forward with its next sanctions package against Russia, according to the foreign minister. This action is part of efforts to encourage Ukraine to restart the flow of Russian oil through a pipeline that supplies refineries in Hungary. Since January 27, shipments of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline have been halted after a Ukrainian report indicated that a Russian drone strike damaged pipeline facilities in Western Ukraine. Both Slovakia and Hungary attribute the ongoing disruption to Ukraine.
The EU is working on its 20th sanctions package against Russia in relation to the Ukraine conflict. While discussions are ongoing, several member states hope to finalize the package in time for the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which falls on Tuesday. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced on the X platform that Hungary will oppose the adoption of this sanctions package at the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council. He stated, "Until Ukraine resumes oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline, we will not allow decisions important to Kyiv to move forward."
This situation has intensified tensions between Ukraine and its neighbors, Hungary and Slovakia. Although all three countries are EU and NATO members, their leaders have diverged from the pro-Ukrainian stance prevalent in Europe to foster closer relations with Moscow. On Friday, Szijjarto indicated that Hungary would block a €90 billion ($106 billion) EU loan intended for Ukraine's defense against Russia until oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline are restored. Unlocking this loan requires amendments to the EU's budget law, which necessitates unanimous support. Hungary and Slovakia have further threatened to discontinue electricity supplies to Ukraine over this matter. In response, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned what it termed "ultimatums and blackmail" from the Hungarian and Slovak governments on Saturday.
The EU is working on its 20th sanctions package against Russia in relation to the Ukraine conflict. While discussions are ongoing, several member states hope to finalize the package in time for the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which falls on Tuesday. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced on the X platform that Hungary will oppose the adoption of this sanctions package at the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council. He stated, "Until Ukraine resumes oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline, we will not allow decisions important to Kyiv to move forward."
This situation has intensified tensions between Ukraine and its neighbors, Hungary and Slovakia. Although all three countries are EU and NATO members, their leaders have diverged from the pro-Ukrainian stance prevalent in Europe to foster closer relations with Moscow. On Friday, Szijjarto indicated that Hungary would block a €90 billion ($106 billion) EU loan intended for Ukraine's defense against Russia until oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline are restored. Unlocking this loan requires amendments to the EU's budget law, which necessitates unanimous support. Hungary and Slovakia have further threatened to discontinue electricity supplies to Ukraine over this matter. In response, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned what it termed "ultimatums and blackmail" from the Hungarian and Slovak governments on Saturday.