Ukraine's Neighbors Threaten to Cut Off Energy Supplies

 

 

“KYIV, Ukraine -- Hungary and Slovakia threatened to cut off energy supplies to Ukraine in a dispute about an oil pipeline, potentially compounding a crisis that has left millions of Ukrainians without reliable power during the coldest months of the year.

 

The countries are fighting over a disruption to the Russian Druzhba, or Friendship, oil pipeline, which crosses Ukraine.

 

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Wednesday that his country would suspend diesel supplies to Ukraine until Kyiv restarts the pipeline. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico followed suit and threatened to cut off power supplies to Ukraine. His government said the Slovnaft oil refinery would stop the export of diesel to Ukraine.

 

The countries accounted for more than 60% of Ukraine's electricity imports in January. Ukrainians rely on diesel to power the backup generators that keep homes and businesses running during extended power cuts caused by Russian attacks and use it as fuel for the military.

 

Orban and Fico accused Ukraine of delaying the reopening of the pipeline to pressure the countries to accept its European Union bid. "The Ukrainians' decision to block oil deliveries through the Friendship pipeline to Hungary is blatant political blackmail," Orban wrote on X.

 

The dispute brings to a head long-running tensions between Ukraine and the two countries. Hungary and Slovakia have both adopted more sympathetic policies toward Russia and continue to import its oil. Hungary also has dragged its feet on EU sanctions against Russia.

 

The fight comes days after Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited both countries in a show of support for the two euroskeptic leaders.

 

Russia relentlessly has targeted Ukrainian power stations and electrical infrastructure, crippling the country's heating and military industry through the coldest months. Much of the population has had to survive with just a few hours of power during the day, Ukrainian officials say.

 

"Ukraine remains a reliable transit country and is fulfilling its obligations in accordance with existing agreements and the EU's sanctions policy toward Russia," said Heorhii Tykhyi, Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman.

 

He noted Kyiv hasn't seen Hungary making efforts to wean itself off Russian oil as much of the rest of Europe. "There are attempts to remain on this needle for as long as possible, like drug addicts."” [1]

 

Sure, Kyiv is seeing only what is good for Kyiv. The worse it is for Hungary, the better for Kyiv. Who hoped otherwise?

 

1. World News: Ukraine's Neighbors Threaten to Cut Off Energy Supplies. Malenko, Anastasiia; Grove, Thomas.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 19 Feb 2026: A7.