On Monday, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico declared that the country would halt emergency electricity exports to Ukraine until Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline are resumed. The delivery resumption date had been pushed back to February 26, according to an announcement from the ministry, although Ukraine has not explained the reason for this delay. This pipeline, which crosses Ukrainian territory, had been damaged due to a Russian strike on January 27, exacerbating the energy situation for both Slovakia and Hungary.

Both Hungary and Slovakia have accused Ukraine of delaying the necessary repairs to the Druzhba pipeline, which has led to a halt in diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine from these nations. Hungary has also blocked a new sanctions package that the European Union intends to impose on Russia as well as a planned €90 billion loan for Ukraine. This situation highlights the complex interdependencies between these nations, especially in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions and energy supply challenges stemming from the ongoing war in Ukraine.

As the fourth anniversary of Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine nears, thousands of people took to the streets in Bratislava to express support for Ukraine, as reported by Slovak media. The public demonstrations reflect the ongoing solidarity with Ukraine amidst the contentious energy supply issues. This delicate balance of support and energy dependency underscores the challenges Slovakia and Hungary face in their responses to the crisis, navigating both humanitarian concerns and national energy security.