Ukraine accuses Hungary and Slovakia of 'ultimatums' over energy
Feb 22nd 2026
Kyiv condemned threats from Budapest and Bratislava to cut emergency electricity supplies unless Ukraine restores Russian oil transit through its territory.
- Hungary and Slovakia threatened to stop emergency electricity exports to Ukraine unless Russian oil transit through Ukraine resumes.
- Oil shipments via the Druzhba pipeline were cut on January 27 after Kyiv said a Russian drone strike damaged pipeline equipment in western Ukraine.
- Slovakia and Hungary blame Ukraine for the prolonged outage, while Ukraine calls the threats ultimatums and says complaints should be directed at the Kremlin.
- Together, Hungary and Slovakia provide about half of EU emergency electricity exports to Ukraine, which Kyiv depends on as its grid takes war damage.
- Ukraine has offered alternative transit options, including using its oil transport system or a maritime route such as the Odesa-Brody corridor, while repairs continue.