Druzhba Pipeline at a Standstill: Oil Flow Remains Halted
The resumption of Russian oil supplies to Slovakia and Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline has been delayed again, this time until February 26th. Slovakia has halted emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine, with the Ministry of Economy stating that negotiations are at a standstill.
Deadlines Shift, Oil Doesn't Flow
Slovakia and Hungary have been without Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline for nearly a month. Kyiv has announced another postponement of the transit resumption date – from February 25th to February 26, 2026 – without further explanation. This is the latest in a series of delays, with the same scenario repeating throughout February.
The disruption began in late January after Ukraine reported damage to oil infrastructure in the Brody area of the Lviv region, allegedly caused by a Russian drone strike. Slovak company Transpetrol, the operator of the domestic section of the pipeline, has warned that its Ukrainian partners are repeatedly violating commitments and postponing agreed schedules.
Ministry: Negotiations at an Impasse
The Slovak Ministry of Economy confirmed in an official statement that "the deadline within the oil supply resumption schedule has been postponed again" and that negotiations with the Ukrainian side are at an impasse. The ministry is also aware of reports of a fire at the Kalejkino pumping station in Russia, which is part of the Druzhba infrastructure. However, according to available information, this incident should not have a long-term impact on the flow of oil to Slovakia.
As a precautionary measure, the Slovak government has released emergency oil reserves for the Slovnaft refinery and assured that the supply of fuel to the domestic market is not immediately threatened. The Ministry of Economy is also in talks with Czech and Croatian partners about alternative supply routes.
Slovakia Halts Electricity to Kyiv
Prime Minister Robert Fico escalated the dispute on February 23rd when he ordered the state-owned company SEPS to halt emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine. "Unless another partner stabilizes the Ukrainian energy system, our assistance will not be provided," said Fico, who characterizes the entire dispute as "a purely political decision aimed at blackmailing Slovakia." He stated that the electricity halt will last until oil transit is restored.
Fico also threatened to reconsider Slovakia's hitherto constructive position on Ukraine's accession to the EU, increasing diplomatic pressure on Kyiv.
Hungary Blocks EU Sanctions and Loans
In parallel, Hungary is using the dispute as leverage in European politics. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that Budapest has blocked the 20th package of EU anti-Russian sanctions and a loan of €90 billion for Ukraine until Kyiv resumes oil transit. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has made his agreement to any financial assistance to Kyiv conditional on the resumption of supplies via Druzhba.
Kyiv: We're Repairing What We Can
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called on Slovakia and Hungary to address their ultimatums to the Kremlin, not Kyiv. Ukrainian officials insist that Russia caused the pipeline damage and that repairs are proceeding as quickly as technically possible. Ukrainian drones have also struck the Kalejkino pumping station in Tatarstan in the meantime, further complicating the situation.
What's at Stake
Druzhba supplies the only Slovak refinery, Slovnaft, which covers most of the domestic fuel consumption. A long-term outage would require costly alternative routes – for example, via the Croatian JANAF pipeline or the Adria route. The energy security of the entire Central European region remains fragile as long as the diplomatic impasse persists.
