Editorial & Advertiser disclosure

Global Banking & Finance Review® is an online platform offering news, analysis, and opinion on the latest trends, developments, and innovations in the banking and finance industry worldwide. The platform covers a diverse range of topics, including banking, insurance, investment, wealth management, fintech, and regulatory issues. The website publishes news, press releases, opinion and advertorials on various financial organizations, products and services which are commissioned from various Companies, Organizations, PR agencies, Bloggers etc. These commissioned articles are commercial in nature. This is not to be considered as financial advice and should be considered only for information purposes. It does not reflect the views or opinion of our website and is not to be considered an endorsement or a recommendation. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information provided with respect to your individual or personal circumstances. Please seek Professional advice from a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. We link to various third-party websites, affiliate sales networks, and to our advertising partners websites. When you view or click on certain links available on our articles, our partners may compensate us for displaying the content to you or make a purchase or fill a form. This will not incur any additional charges to you. To make things simpler for you to identity or distinguish advertised or sponsored articles or links, you may consider all articles or links hosted on our site as a commercial article placement. We will not be responsible for any loss you may suffer as a result of any omission or inaccuracy on the website.

Russia accuses Ukraine of threatening European energy security with Hungary/Slovakia oil stoppage

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

Posted on February 26, 2026

2 min read

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Russia accuses Ukraine of threatening European energy security with Hungary/Slovakia oil stoppage - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review

Tags:European Union

Quick Summary

Russia accuses Ukraine of jeopardizing European energy security by halting Druzhba oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia. Kyiv cites war damage and a drone strike, as the EU urges repairs and Hungary resists new sanctions and an EU loan.

Russia Says Ukraine Jeopardizes Europe’s Energy via Hungary-Slovakia Oil Halt

Energy Security Stakes for Hungary and Slovakia

MOSCOW, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Thursday accused Ukraine of threatening Europe's energy security by stopping Russian oil flowing through the Druzhba oil pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia.

Druzhba Pipeline Disruption

Ukraine, which says the pipeline was damaged by Russian strikes in late January, says it has not yet repaired it and on Monday, in a separate incident, Kyiv's drones struck a key Russian pumping station serving the same pipeline.

Budapest and Bratislava Responses

Hungary this week blocked new EU sanctions on Russia and an EU loan to Ukraine, in response to the oil stoppage.

"Ukraine's blockage of transit through the Druzhba oil pipeline threatens the energy security of Hungary, Slovakia and the whole of Europe, which is why Brussels' inaction is surprising," Zakharova told a news briefing.

EU and Ukrainian Statements

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that Brussels had asked Ukraine to speed up repairs to the damaged pipeline. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said a day later it could not be fixed quickly.

(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov, writing by Ksenia OrlovaEditing by Andrew Osborn)

Key Takeaways

•Russia alleges Ukraine blocked Druzhba oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia, risking European energy security.
•Ukraine says the pipeline was damaged by Russian strikes in late January and remains unrepaired.
•Kyiv’s drones reportedly hit a Russian pumping station serving the same pipeline this week.
•Hungary blocked new EU sanctions on Russia and an EU loan to Ukraine amid the stoppage.
•EU leaders urged faster repairs; Zelensky said the line cannot be fixed quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions about Russia accuses Ukraine of threatening European energy security with Hungary/Slovakia oil stoppage

1What is the main topic?

Russia accuses Ukraine of threatening European energy security by stopping oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia, while the EU presses for repairs and Kyiv cites war damage.

2What is the Druzhba oil pipeline?

Druzhba is a major Soviet-era pipeline network carrying Russian crude to Central and Eastern Europe. Its southern branch crosses Ukraine to supply Hungary and Slovakia.

3How are the EU and regional governments responding?

Brussels urged Ukraine to accelerate repairs. Hungary blocked new EU sanctions and an EU loan to Ukraine over the stoppage, while Ukraine maintains repairs can’t be rushed due to wartime damage.

Energy Security Stakes for Hungary and Slovakia

Druzhba Pipeline Disruption

Budapest and Bratislava Responses

Hungary this week blocked new EU sanctions on Russia and an EU loan to Ukraine, in response to the oil stoppage.

EU and Ukrainian Statements

(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov, writing by Ksenia OrlovaEditing by Andrew Osborn)

Key Takeaways

•Russia alleges Ukraine blocked Druzhba oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia, risking European energy security.

•Ukraine says the pipeline was damaged by Russian strikes in late January and remains unrepaired.

•Kyiv’s drones reportedly hit a Russian pumping station serving the same pipeline this week.

•Hungary blocked new EU sanctions on Russia and an EU loan to Ukraine amid the stoppage.

•EU leaders urged faster repairs; Zelensky said the line cannot be fixed quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is the main topic?

2What is the Druzhba oil pipeline?

Druzhba is a major Soviet-era pipeline network carrying Russian crude to Central and Eastern Europe. Its southern branch crosses Ukraine to supply Hungary and Slovakia.

3How are the EU and regional governments responding?

Brussels urged Ukraine to accelerate repairs. Hungary blocked new EU sanctions and an EU loan to Ukraine over the stoppage, while Ukraine maintains repairs can’t be rushed due to wartime damage.