At a meeting of EU foreign ministers, discussions surrounding sanctions on Russia were expected to face significant hurdles due to Hungary's political stance. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that Budapest would impose a veto on sanctions if the Druzhba oil pipeline, which has been damaged due to Russian attacks, is not reinstated. This pipeline has been a crucial route for Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia, complicating the EU's unified response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials clarified that the Druzhba pipeline was damaged on January 27 due to Russian strikes, leading to significant disruptions in oil supplies to these EU member states. The situation has raised questions regarding Hungary's commitment to European solidarity, prompting German Foreign Minister Johannes Wadephul to express surprise and concern over Budapest's position. Wadephul emphasized the need for further discussions with Hungarian counterparts to find resolution. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna pointed out that blocking sanctions was unfounded, as the halt of the pipeline's operation was a result of Russian actions, not Ukraine's. He highlighted the broader implications, stating that if sanctions against Russia are not enforced, it would embolden Russia further. As EU nations grapple with internal disagreements, the effectiveness of their collective response to Russian aggression and support for Ukraine remains precarious, underlining the complexities of energy dependencies and geopolitical alliances within the bloc.