Hungary began halting reverse gas exports to Ukraine on 25 March amid the ongoing Druzhba pipeline dispute1. EU experts remain in Kyiv to inspect the damaged pipeline, but Ukraine has not granted access to the affected section.
The gas cutoff follows Fico's declaration of an oil supply emergency in Slovakia, where the Druzhba shutdown threatens refinery operations. Both Hungary and Slovakia depend on Russian crude delivered through the pipeline, which was damaged by Russian strikes in January 2026. Budapest blames Kyiv for the shutdown; Ukraine and EU assessments attribute the damage to Russian military action.
Hungary's punitive measures now span three domains. It continues blocking the €90 billion EU loan, despite nominally having dropped its objection. The SAFE freeze announced the same day (25 March) was the EU's response. And the gas export halt adds direct energy pressure on Ukraine, which relies on reverse flows from Central European neighbours to supplement its own supply.
The 25 April deadline for the EU's phased Russian gas ban looms. For Hungarian and Slovak consumers, that deadline translates to higher heating costs unless alternative supply routes open. Hungary's energy dependence on Russia gives it disruptive power within the EU, but the SAFE freeze demonstrates the bloc is willing to retaliate with financial consequences.
