Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has publicly condemned Hungary and Slovakia for issuing what it termed 'ultimatums and blackmail' concerning energy supplies, specifically regarding electric power deliveries to Kyiv. The complaint arises after these two countries, which are the only EU members still importing large quantities of Russian oil through pipeline, threatened to cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine unless it ceased obstructing oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline. Ukraine argues that the disruption in oil deliveries is due to equipment being damaged from a Russian drone attack, exacerbating already strained relations between Ukraine and its neighbors.

Following a statement from Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, who suggested that Slovakia would halt electricity deliveries within two days unless Ukraine complied with their demand, tensions have escalated. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has also made statements reflective of his country's stance on the matter. The underlying issues are rooted in the complex geopolitical landscape shaped by the ongoing war in Ukraine and the reliance of these EU countries on Russian energy resources. This situation not only impacts the bilateral relations between Ukraine and these nations but also poses challenges for the broader European Union's stance on energy security and reliance on Russian oil.

These developments come at a time when Ukraine is already struggling with the repercussions of the war, particularly in maintaining steady energy supplies. The threats from Hungary and Slovakia symbolize not only a fracture in regional cooperation but also pose significant risks to Ukraine’s energy stability. Observers will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and what measures Ukraine might take to remedy these tensions with its EU neighbors while balancing its energy needs and geopolitical realities.