Hungary is threatening Ukraine, and Slovakia is adding fuel to the fire. Fico and Orban join forces in the dispute with Kiev and Brussels

Over the past year, Fico has repeatedly signaled during meetings and public statements that Slovakia intends to continue importing Russian gas, while sharply criticizing the European Union's energy policy. During his last face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing in September 2025, Fico said Slovakia is “extremely interested in normalizing relations” with Russia.

This position is contrary to the EU's policy of becoming independent from Russian energy in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

While most EU countries treated the war as a reason to cut ties with Russia, Fico and Orban went in the opposite direction.

Pipeline failure fuels tensions

The Druzhba pipeline, running from Russia through Ukraine to Slovakia and Hungary, is at the center of the dispute. It has been inactive since the end of January, when Ukraine reported that a Russian drone attack had damaged infrastructure in the western part of the country.

Hungary and Slovakia blame Kyiv for the failure. Ukraine denies these allegations, saying the original disruption was caused by Russian attacks and will take time to repair.

For Kiev, this is a dispute another example of pressurepressure exerted on it by some of its neighbors, even as it remains under daily fire from Moscow.

Energy dispute with Brussels

The Druzhba pipeline dispute is part of Fico's broader opposition to EU efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy. On January 27, he stated that Slovakia would file a lawsuit with the European Court of Justice to challenge the EU ban on imports of Russian gas.

Fico described the withdrawal of Russian fuel as “energy suicide” and an “ideological, senseless and harmful” policy, warning that it could cause domestic gas prices to skyrocket.

He also argued that Slovakia's dependence on Russian gas is based on geography rather than ideology, saying alternative routes such as the Adriatic gas pipeline are more costly and have not yet been fully proven.

Allegations of “blackmail” and “ultimatum”

Kyiv reacted sharply to threats from both Bratislava and Budapest.

Kiev's position is that energy disputes cannot be separated from the reality of Russia's war, especially as Ukrainian infrastructure continues to come under attack.

The EU remains adamant

The European Commission rejected Bratislava and Budapest's arguments that supply concerns justify breaking EU rules. Brussels says any action must be consistent with the EU's legal framework and support the withdrawal of Russian energy.

The commission also recently questioned the latest decision of the Fico government. Brussels said Slovakia's recent restrictions on diesel, including higher prices for foreign-registered vehicles, violate the EU's principles of non-discrimination and the principles of the single market. She warned that legal action could be taken if the measures were not withdrawn.