Overview
- The joint push, announced Saturday after a call between Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico, asks Brussels to end limits on Russian oil and gas and to secure a restart of the Druzhba pipeline.
- Orbán said Europe faces a fast‑building energy shortfall and demanded an immediate suspension of EU sanctions and other curbs on Russian supplies.
- Fico echoed the demand, called for renewed talks with Russia, and blasted the European Commission’s handling of energy policy.
- Druzhba flows to Hungary and Slovakia stopped on January 27 after a strike hit equipment in Ukraine, with Budapest and Bratislava alleging repair delays while Kyiv says it is fixing the line as fast as conditions allow.
- Oil prices have climbed since February 28 as strikes on Iran disrupted Gulf shipments, and Hungary has already blocked an EU loan to Kyiv as leaders warn of higher pump costs without new supply.