Slovakia threatens to veto EU sanctions over Druzhba pipeline disruption

On April 16, 2026, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar announced that his country would block the next package of EU sanctions against Russia. The decision is contingent on receiving guarantees regarding the restoration of oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline. The pipeline, which has supplied oil to Slovakia and Hungary since the Soviet era, suffered damage on January 27. While some sources report the damage was caused by Russian strikes in Ukraine, others emphasize the delay in repairs. Slovakia and Hungary have accused the Ukrainian government of intentionally delaying the restoration of the pipeline. Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia and Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary have characterized the situation as a form of blackmail by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In response to the ongoing disputes, Orban has also blocked a 90 billion euro EU loan package intended for Ukraine. The Slovak government maintains that this move is a necessary step to secure its energy supply.