Ukraine Defies Energy Blackmail Amid Russian Oil Dispute

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has condemned what it describes as the 'ultimatums and blackmail' from Hungary and Slovakia, following their threats to halt electricity supplies to Ukraine unless the flow of Russian oil is resumed. Kyiv argues that the situation stems from a Russian drone attack that disrupted pipeline operations.

The dispute escalated as Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico announced plans to cut emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine if oil transit isn't reinstated, echoing Hungary's similar stance. This confrontation marks a significant rift as both Hungary and Slovakia maintain greater ties with Moscow despite general European support for Ukraine.

Relying heavily on Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline crossing Ukraine, Hungary and Slovakia stand unique among EU nations. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry insists that ultimatums should target the Kremlin, not Kyiv, and has proposed alternate transit routes amid energy crises caused by continued Russian aggression.