Slovak PM Claims Ukraine Delays Oil Pipeline Restart to Pressure Hungary on EU Bid
Bratislava, Sunday, 15 February 2026.
Fico alleges Kyiv is withholding Russian oil flows to coerce Hungary into supporting Ukraine’s EU membership, characterizing the delayed pipeline restart as calculated “political blackmail.”
Allegations of Energy Weaponization
On Sunday, February 15, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico issued a sharp rebuke against Kyiv, accusing Ukraine of stalling the repair of a critical oil pipeline to exert political leverage over Hungary. Following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Bratislava, Fico characterized the continued disruption of the Druzhba pipeline as “political blackmail” aimed at forcing Budapest to drop its veto on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union [1][3]. The Prime Minister expressed deep skepticism regarding the technical justifications for the delay, stating that his government possesses information suggesting the infrastructure “should have been fixed” by now [1]. He further emphasized that he does not trust the narratives provided by either side of the Russia-Ukraine conflict regarding the damage [1][7].
The Infrastructure Dispute
The controversy centers on the Druzhba oil pipeline, a vital energy artery for Central Europe, which has been non-operational since January 27, 2026 [2][5]. Ukrainian authorities reported that the suspension was caused by a Russian drone and missile attack on energy infrastructure in the Lviv region [2][5]. While this marks the first time the pipeline itself was damaged by Russian strikes, Fico views the extended downtime as a calculated diplomatic maneuver rather than a purely technical hurdle [2][7]. He argued that the situation is being manipulated to punish Hungary for its “uncompromising stance” on Ukraine’s EU ambitions, a strategy that inadvertently penalizes Slovakia due to the deep integration of their energy markets [1][3].
Diplomatic Friction and Strategic Alternatives
The standoff has triggered a flurry of diplomatic activity aimed at securing alternative routes. In response to the blockage, Slovakia and Hungary have jointly petitioned Croatia to authorize oil transport via the Adria pipeline, invoking exemptions that allow for non-Russian imports when transit becomes impossible [4]. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó echoed Fico’s sentiments, asserting that Ukraine has failed to restore the Druzhba flows for political reasons and urging Croatia to permit immediate access to the Adriatic route in accordance with Brussels’ regulations [4].