Hungary's foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, has made it clear that Budapest plans to block the European Union's new sanctions package against Russia until Ukraine reinstates oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline that has been halted due to Russian military actions. This announcement comes amid a growing dispute between Ukraine and its neighboring countries, Slovakia and Hungary, over the importation of Russian oil. The Druzhba pipeline is crucial for oil supplies to both Hungary and Slovakia, and its shutdown has significant economic implications for these countries.

The cessation of oil transit, which began in late January as a result of Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, has led to an escalating war of words between the nations involved. Slovakia has alleged that Ukraine is intentionally delaying repairs needed to restore the pipeline's operation, a claim that Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has firmly denied, insisting that repair work is currently in progress. This dispute illustrates the complicated geopolitical dynamics in the region, where energy supplies and political maneuvers are tightly interlinked.

Szijjarto's threats to block sanctions that are pivotal for Ukraine's efforts to curb Russia's aggression not only exacerbate relations between these neighboring countries but also raise questions about the cohesiveness of the EU's stance against Russia. As the situation unfolds, it could influence not just energy security in Central Europe but also the broader response of the EU to Russian actions and how it navigates internal disagreements among member states.