The Ukraine energy dispute with Hungary and Slovakia has escalated into one of the most serious diplomatic rows inside Europe since Russia’s full-scale invasion, with Kyiv accusing its two neighbours of using electricity supplies and oil transit as political leverage at a moment when Ukraine is facing sustained military attacks and mounting pressure on its energy infrastructure.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry issued an unusually sharp statement after both Hungary and Slovakia warned they could halt electricity exports to Ukraine unless Kyiv facilitates the resumption of Russian oil flows through its territory.
Ukrainian officials rejected the threat outright, describing it as “ultimatums and blackmail” and arguing that any demands related to energy should be addressed to Moscow rather than Ukraine, which has been under near-constant attack since the war began.
At the centre of the row is the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline, one of the last remaining routes carrying Russian oil into the European Union. Shipments to Hungary and Slovakia were cut off in late January after a drone strike damaged pipeline-related infrastructure in western Ukraine.
Kyiv maintains that the disruption was the direct result of Russian military action and denies accusations from Budapest and Bratislava that it is deliberately delaying repairs. “Ultimatums should be sent to the Kremlin, and certainly not to Kyiv,” the Ukrainian foreign ministry said, underlining its view that responsibility lies with Russia, not the transit state.
The dispute has exposed deep fractures within the EU and Nato over how far solidarity with Ukraine should extend when national energy security is at stake.
Hungary and Slovakia are now the only two EU member states still heavily dependent on Russian oil transported through Ukraine, a reliance that sets them apart from most of the bloc, which has spent the past four years working to reduce imports from Moscow.
Both governments argue that an extended cutoff threatens domestic energy stability and economic growth, while Kyiv insists that it cannot be expected to guarantee Russian exports while its own cities are under fire.
The war context has made the argument particularly explosive. Over the weekend, Russia launched another wave of missile and drone attacks targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure, residential areas and transport hubs.
Explosions were reported in Kyiv, the surrounding region, the Black Sea port of Odesa and parts of central Ukraine. Air raid sirens sounded across multiple regions as authorities warned of ballistic missile strikes, urging civilians to seek shelter. Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, confirmed that at least a woman and a child were injured during overnight attacks on the capital.
Further west, deadly blasts hit Lviv, killing a policewoman and wounding more than a dozen people. Local officials described the incident as an “act of terror”, noting that the explosions occurred just after officers responded to a reported break-in in the city centre.
The attacks reinforced Kyiv’s argument that Russia is deliberately targeting Ukraine’s energy system to weaken civilian morale and undermine the country’s ability to function, making threats over electricity supplies from EU neighbours even more sensitive.
Against this backdrop, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has tried to balance firmness with diplomacy. While backing the foreign ministry’s tough language, Zelenskyy reiterated that “real opportunities to end the war with dignity still exist” and called for another round of talks with international partners.
He hinted at the possibility of a new leaders’ meeting involving major global actors, stressing that Ukraine is prepared to engage but will not do so under coercion or conditions that compromise its sovereignty.
Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has long taken a more conciliatory approach toward Moscow than most EU leaders, repeatedly questioning sanctions and military aid to Ukraine. Slovakia’s leader, Robert Fico, has also criticised Kyiv in unusually blunt terms, accusing Zelenskyy of acting “maliciously” toward Slovak interests.
Their positions have frustrated Brussels and eastern European states that see unwavering support for Ukraine as essential to European security.
The energy dispute has also revived fears that Hungary could once again use its veto power within the EU to block financial or military assistance to Kyiv. Budapest has previously threatened to derail a €90bn support package for Ukraine, linking its stance to disagreements over oil transit and sanctions policy.
Diplomats in Brussels worry that the latest row could delay urgently needed funding or complicate efforts to present a united European front as the war drags into a fourth year.
From Kyiv’s perspective, the argument goes beyond technical questions of pipelines and power grids. Ukrainian officials say agreeing to energy concessions under pressure would set a dangerous precedent, encouraging Russia and its remaining allies to weaponise infrastructure against a country fighting for survival.
They also point out that Ukraine has continued to honour many transit obligations despite being under attack, absorbing risks that few other European states would tolerate.
Military developments have further sharpened the stakes. Ukrainian forces confirmed strikes deep inside Russian territory, including an attack on a missile manufacturing facility in the Udmurt Republic using domestically produced cruise missiles.
Russian regional authorities reported injuries and temporarily suspended flights at nearby airports. Kyiv argues that such operations demonstrate its growing capacity to strike back, even as it faces relentless bombardment at home.
The wider European public has not been indifferent to the unfolding crisis. In Paris, around 2,000 people marched in support of Ukraine, according to police.
French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann said solidarity with Ukraine among the public remains strong, even as some political voices on the far left and right begin to call for compromise with Moscow.
Similar demonstrations have taken place across Europe, underscoring the gap between popular sentiment and certain government positions.
In the United Kingdom, former prime minister Boris Johnson added to the debate by urging Britain and its European allies to deploy non-combat troops to Ukraine as a signal of long-term commitment.
While controversial, the proposal reflects growing concern that fatigue and internal disputes, such as the energy row with Hungary and Slovakia, could weaken Europe’s resolve at a critical moment.
Analysts say the Ukraine energy dispute with Hungary and Slovakia highlights a broader dilemma facing Europe: how to reconcile national energy needs with collective security and moral commitments.
For Kyiv, the message is stark. Ukraine is fighting not only on the battlefield but also in diplomatic and economic arenas, where pressure can come from allies as well as adversaries.
Read also: Venezuela grants amnesty to 379 political prisoners amid new law
As winter continues and infrastructure remains a prime target for Russian strikes, the coming weeks will test whether European unity can withstand competing interests.
Kyiv insists it will not bow to what it sees as coercion, while Budapest and Bratislava argue they are defending vital national concerns. How the standoff is resolved may shape not only Ukraine’s energy security but also the credibility of Europe’s support for a country still fighting for its independence.
About The Author
