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Hungary And Slovakia Cut Diesel Supplies To Ukraine Over Blocked Russian Oil Transit
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Slovakia and Hungary have announced the suspension of diesel fuel exports to Ukraine until oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline is restored, according to Hungarian outlets Index and Telex on February 18.
According to the Slovak government, Prime Minister Robert Fico ordered the halt of diesel exports to Ukraine after crude oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline were suspended due to large-scale Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The government also approved the release of 250,000 tons of oil from state reserves to stabilize domestic supply.
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“Slovnaft is stopping diesel exports to Ukraine and any other exports, and everything it now processes at home, in Slovakia, will be intended for the Slovak market,” Fico said.
He added that Slovakia does not face a fuel shortage and that releasing oil reserves will help Slovnaft manage the period until alternative supplies arrive from Croatia.
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Transit of Russian crude oil through Druzhba toward Slovakia and Hungary has been suspended since January 27, when pipeline infrastructure was damaged as a result of Russian shelling. Slovakia and Hungary have accused Ukraine of being responsible for the continued disruption.
Hungary also confirmed it is suspending diesel supplies to Ukraine. According to Hungarian outlet Index on February 18, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó announced the decision following a government meeting addressing the halted oil deliveries.
Szijjártó stated that oil transit has not been restored “by decision of Ukraine” and described the situation as “a purely political decision.”
“We are suspending diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine, and they will not resume until oil begins flowing again through the Druzhba pipeline. That is where we draw the line,” he said.
According to Telex, Szijjártó accused Ukraine of “political blackmail,” adding that “there are all technical, physical and technological conditions for restoring” the pipeline’s operation.
He noted that Hungary currently holds strategic oil reserves sufficient for 96 days and does not face immediate supply risks. Hungarian energy company MOL has ordered Russian crude shipments by sea via Croatia, with maritime deliveries expected from mid-March.
Separately, Fico signaled that Slovakia could reconsider cooperation with Ukraine in the electricity sector. According to Aktuality, he stated: “If Zelenskyy believes that this has no value, that he does not need it, then we can make a decision and refuse cooperation in the field of electricity supply.”
Hungary has continued importing Russian energy since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has previously said that Budapest does not plan to abandon Russian oil, citing concerns over the reliability of alternative supply routes.
Earlier, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said Hungary could obtain oil from non-Russian sources “without financing Putin’s war machine,” urging Budapest to show solidarity with Ukraine. His remarks followed Hungary’s decision to bar Ukrainian drone commander Robert “Madyar” Brovdi after a strike on the Druzhba pipeline.
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