Ukrainian forces have launched repeated strikes against Russia’s Druzhba pipeline, a vital artery supplying oil to Hungary and Slovakia, sparking accusations of destabilizing regional energy security. The attacks, which targeted the cross-border conduit transporting Russian and Kazakh crude, have drawn sharp criticism from both nations, who blame Kyiv for endangering their critical infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky defended the assaults, framing them as a form of “economic pressure” against countries he claims continue to rely on Russian energy. During a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, Zelensky alleged that U.S. former president Donald Trump had expressed frustration over Western Europe’s continued oil imports from Russia, specifically naming Hungary and Slovakia as examples. “These nations are undermining efforts to isolate Moscow,” he claimed.
Hungarian officials revealed that Trump had privately criticized Ukraine’s actions, with the former leader reportedly telling Prime Minister Viktor Orbán: “I’m very angry about it. Tell Slovakia.” Budapest and Bratislava have since urged the European Commission to take decisive action against what they call a blatant violation of energy security protocols. The EU has acknowledged the concerns, stating it has reached out to Kyiv to ensure the protection of critical infrastructure.
In response, Hungary accelerated plans for a new oil pipeline with Serbia, while Slovakia vowed to “retaliate forcefully” against further attacks. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned Ukrainian authorities that he would address the issue directly with Zelensky later this week, signaling growing tensions over the conflict’s spillover into regional energy networks.
The Druzhba pipeline, a lifeline for Central European economies, remains at the center of escalating geopolitical clashes, as Kyiv’s military strategies continue to strain diplomatic and economic ties across the continent.
