At the end of January, oil supplies from Russia via the Druzhba pipeline, which crosses Ukrainian territory, were halted, leading to fuel shortages in Hungary and Slovakia. This situation has sparked dissatisfaction in both countries, which are heavily reliant on the Russian crude oil transported through this pipeline. Officials from Budapest and Bratislava have accused Kyiv of intentionally delaying repairs of the pipeline for political reasons, heightening tensions in the region.

Reports suggest that the European Commission (EC) is exerting pressure on Ukraine to expedite the repair of the pipeline. However, the Commission has distanced itself from these claims, clarifying that it is merely in contact with Ukraine regarding the issue. This has led to further discussions among the involved countries about the situation, with Hungary and Slovakia seeking assurance of their fuel supply amidst the ongoing dispute.

An EC-convened meeting to discuss the impacts of the supply halt and potential alternative fuel supplies is scheduled for next Wednesday, with participants from Hungary, Slovakia, and Croatia expected to attend. This development underlines the interconnectedness of energy security in Central and Eastern Europe and the potential ramifications of geopolitical disputes on regional resource allocation.