Hungary and Slovakia have taken a significant stance by blocking the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, demonstrating their growing skepticism towards Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. The Hungarian government, under Viktor Orbán, has also announced its opposition to a substantial EU loan to Ukraine amounting to 90 billion euros. The rationale behind this opposition stems from the recent cessation of oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline following a Russian attack on the pipeline, a critical supply route for both countries.

The blocking of sanctions appears to be a strategic move by Bratislava and Budapest to fortify their relations with Moscow, which remain markedly warmer compared to the prevailing sentiments within the European Union. The key point of contention in the sanctions package was aimed at halting maritime deliveries of Russian oil and complicating the operations of what is known as the 'shadow fleet'—older vessels that transport Russian resources under flags other than Russia's and whose owners are notoriously hard to identify.

This situation underscores a fundamental conflict between Hungary and Slovakia and other EU member states, centered on energy resources. Despite the overarching sanctions against Russia, both countries have maintained contracts for the delivery of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline, which continues to constitute the majority of their energy supplies, making them particularly reliant on Moscow. This raises questions about the unity of the EU in dealing with Russia and the balance between energy security and geopolitical commitments in the region.