EU sanctions package frozen as Hungary demands Druzhba pipeline reopening

Hungary has announced that it will block adoption of the EU's 20^th sanctions package against Russia. Hungary’s foreign minister stated his country would continue blocking such packages until Ukraine repairs the Druzhba pipeline, damaged in a Russian strike, and resumes oil supplies to Hungary (Euronews, 22/02/2026).

Deliveries to Slovakia and Hungary stopped at the end of January 2026. Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of blocking the Druzhba pipeline's reopening, while Ukraine claims it was damaged by Russian strikes. Slovakia maintains the pipeline has been repaired but that Kyiv keeps it closed to pressure the two countries, which oppose Ukraine's EU accession currently under negotiation.

• The Druzhba pipeline, running from eastern Russia into Central Europe, is a key oil source for both Slovakia and Hungary, which are exempt from EU sanctions on Russian refined oil imports.

Slovakia's Prime Minister also stated he would halt emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine unless Kyiv resumes Russian oil transit to Slovakia over Ukrainian territory. Hungary's leader issued a similar threat days earlier. Nearly half of Ukraine's electricity imports come from Hungary.

Hungarian Prime Minister further announced he would block, for the same reasons, the adoption of a EUR90bn loan for Ukraine, approved in December 2025 by EU heads of state and government, including Hungary.

The European Union proposed new sanctions against Russia in early February, targeting the energy sector, including a ban on maritime services (maintenance, towing, etc.) for ships carrying Russian oil.