Published：Feb 13, 11:48Last updated：Feb 25, 16:10

Central Europe Faces Escalating Energy Crisis Amid Druzhba Pipeline Standoff

Feb. 13, 2026 11:48

Slovakia’s government announced that oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline have been suspended. The country has strategic reserves estimated to last about ninety days. The suspension impacts energy supplies and highlights ongoing issues related to pipeline transit and geopolitical tensions.

Summarized

23News

10Media

Feb. 22, 2026 17:41

Robert Kalinyak, Slovakia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, stated that necessary oil products will soon be supplied to Slovakia. The announcement was made during an interview on the country's public broadcaster STVR on February 22, 2026.

Feb. 25, 2026 16:10

Slovakia's Prime Minister Fico stated that Ukraine has repeatedly postponed restarting oil deliveries, with February 26 as the latest deadline. The resumption is expected to occur in March at the earliest.

Central Europe’s energy crisis deepened in February 2026 as oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline—vital for Slovakia and Hungary—remained suspended amid intensifying disputes with Ukraine. The halt, which began in early February, has triggered emergency measures, diplomatic accusations, and threats of broader energy blockades, exposing the fragility of the region’s energy security and the complex interplay between EU policies, Russian oil, and Ukrainian transit routes. TASS+6

⚠️ Emergency Measures and Strategic Reserves

Both Slovakia and Hungary responded to the pipeline stoppage by releasing strategic oil reserves to stabilize domestic supplies. Slovakia dispatched 250,000 tonnes to its main refinery, Slovnaft, while Hungary’s Ministry of Energy took similar steps. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico declared an official oil emergency, halting oil aid to Ukraine to prioritize national needs. Despite assurances from refinery officials that immediate shortages would be avoided, prolonged disruptions remain a concern. Bloomberg+3

🛢️ Accusations, Blackmail Claims, and Diplomatic Tensions

Tensions escalated as Hungary and Slovakia—which have temporary exemptions from the EU’s Russian oil ban—accused Ukraine of deliberately delaying oil deliveries and threatened to block electricity and EU aid to Ukraine in retaliation. Ukraine, in turn, denied the accusations, with Foreign Minister Sybiha labeling the threats as “blackmail” and calling them irresponsible amid ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Russian officials have also accused Ukraine of “energy blackmail” against EU countries, further complicating the diplomatic landscape. Russian Gazette+6

🚢 Supply Resumption Timelines and Alternative Routes

Slovak officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinyak, announced that necessary oil products would soon be supplied, but Prime Minister Fico later revealed that Ukraine had postponed the restart of oil deliveries several times, with the latest deadline set for February 26 and resumption now expected no earlier than March. In the interim, Slovakia and Hungary are seeking alternative sources, such as the Adriatic Sea pipeline and reverse flows from the Czech Republic, while calls grow for greater energy diversification and infrastructure investment to reduce dependency on single transit routes. CCTV+6

HungaryUkraineSlovnaftRobert FicoDruzhba pipeline