Hungary and Slovakia have officially begun utilizing their emergency oil reserves following the suspension of supplies through the Druzhba pipeline by Ukraine, as announced during a European Commission meeting on February 25.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen confirmed both nations have activated their strategic fuel funds to mitigate the impact of the supply disruption. According to the spokesperson, all European Union member states maintain emergency reserves designed to sustain domestic demand for approximately 90 days during such energy crises.
The move follows a series of retaliatory measures in the region. On February 24, Slovakia halted emergency electricity exports to Kyiv in response to the interruptions in the Druzhba pipeline. Furthermore, both Slovakia and Hungary have suspended diesel fuel deliveries to Ukraine. The two nations have accused Kyiv of intentionally delaying repairs to the pipeline—which was reportedly damaged by Russian strikes—citing political motivations behind the technical holdup.
The Druzhba pipeline, one of the world's longest oil pipeline networks, serves as a critical energy artery for Central Europe, carrying crude from Russia to refineries in Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. The current transit dispute has significantly escalated diplomatic tensions within the European Union. In response to the supply halt, Hungary has blocked the approval of the EU's 20th sanctions package against Russia and a proposed 90-billion-euro loan facility for Kyiv, underscoring the deepening divide over energy security and regional foreign policy.
