The first day of the Brussels summit concluded as expected with Slovakia and Hungary blocking a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine and a 20th sanctions package against Russia. Prime Ministers Robert Fico of Slovakia and Viktor Orbán of Hungary conditioned their agreement on advancements concerning the Druzhba oil pipeline. Orbán expressed that he would wait for oil to start flowing again, dismissing the rest as fairy tales. This stark negotiation reflects the deep geopolitical ties and interests influencing the decisions of both leaders.

Fico's position appears increasingly solitary as the dynamics of wartime alliances and friendships become clearer. The historical context surrounding the pipelines and energy dependencies plays a significant role in these negotiations, with Russia's bombing of the pipeline near Brody earlier in January serving as a pivotal moment that was initially met with silence from Fico. The leaders of the EU had previously agreed on a zero-interest loan to Ukraine amounting to €90 billion for the years 2026 and 2027, but Slovakia, along with the Czech Republic and Hungary, negotiated conditions to avoid direct liability and financial repercussions on their countries.

As the political landscape continues to shift, the implications of these actions are significant not only for Ukraine but also for the EU's collective response to Russian aggression. Fico's and Orbán's tactics may be viewed as leveraging their geopolitical positions while risking further political isolation within the Union. The ongoing situation highlights the complexities of European solidarity in the face of external threats and internal divisions, raising questions about the future of EU unity and its response to the war in Ukraine.