A significant diplomatic row has erupted and escalated between Hungary and Slovakia on one side, and Ukraine on the other, following a series of drone strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline. These attacks have temporarily halted crucial oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia, two European Union member states heavily reliant on Russian crude, and have triggered sharp condemnations and threats from Budapest.

The incidents began with damage to a key distribution station of the Druzhba pipeline in Russia’s Bryansk region, which initially disrupted supplies. This was followed by a second strike targeting the Nikolskoye oil pumping station in Russia's Tambov region, and a third, latest attack on the Unecha oil pumping station, effectively halting Russian oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia for an anticipated period of at least five days. These attacks have severely impacted the energy security of the two Central European nations.

Hungary's Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, has been particularly vocal, describing Ukraine's actions as "outrageous and unacceptable." He asserted that "whoever attacks our energy security is, in fact, attacking our sovereignty." Szijjártó also conveyed information from the Russian energy minister that efforts were underway to restore the Nikolskoye station, though a timeline for resuming transport remained unclear. Adding to the tension, Szijjártó accused Ukraine of attempting to drag Hungary into the ongoing conflict.

Further escalating the diplomatic pressure, Hungary issued a thinly-veiled threat to cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine. Szijjártó reminded Ukrainian decision-makers that "electricity from Hungary plays a vital role in powering your country." This echoed earlier statements by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who last week suggested that Ukraine could "collapse in one day" without Hungarian electricity. According to Hungarian government data, Ukraine imported 2.14 terawatt-hours of electricity from Hungary in 2024, accounting for approximately 40% of its total needs. Furthermore, over half of Ukraine's natural gas imports, totaling 1.65 billion cubic meters so far in 2025, come through Hungary.

Ukraine, in turn, has dismissed Hungary's complaints. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded to Szijjártó by reminding him that Russia initiated the war and refused to end it, while also accusing Budapest of doing little to reduce its energy dependence on Russia. Sybiha suggested Hungary send its "complaints—and threats—to your friends in Moscow." Although Ukraine did not officially acknowledge striking the oil facilities, Robert Brovdi, nicknamed Madyar, who heads Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, posted a video on his Telegram account showing the aftermath of the latest bombing, with a burning oil station, accompanied by a Hungarian message for Russians to go home.

In a coordinated diplomatic move, the Hungarian and Slovakian Foreign Ministers, Péter Szijjártó and Juraj Blanár, respectively, penned a joint letter to the European Commission. They urged EU action to prevent further attacks on the Druzhba pipeline on Russian territory. The letter sharply criticized Ukraine's actions as "completely irresponsible," especially considering the "hundreds of billions of Euros' worth of support" provided by the EU and its Member States to Ukraine over the past years. Szijjártó explicitly stated on his X-account that these attacks primarily harm Hungary and Slovakia, not Russia.

The international community has also weighed in on the situation. US President Donald Trump reportedly reacted angrily to a complaint from Hungarian Premier Viktor Orbán, writing: "Viktor - I do not like hearing this - I am very angry about this. Tell Slovakia. You are my great friend." Meanwhile, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski responded to Szijjártó's claims about Ukraine trying to drag Hungary into the war by stating: "Peter, you have as much solidarity from us as we have from you," a clear reference to Hungary's frequent use of vetoes regarding EU support for Ukraine.

The European Commission confirmed receipt of the letter from Hungary and Slovakia. While stating they had no clear information on the perpetrator of the attacks, the Commission emphasized the importance of maintaining energy security. They reminded all Member States of the requirement to maintain emergency stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports. A spokesperson confirmed that both Hungary and Slovakia possess sufficient reserves, and as neither country has signaled the use of these stocks, the Commission reiterated that there is currently "no impact on the EU security of supply."