Overview
- Hungary will also block the EU’s 20th sanctions package on Russia until oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline resumes, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó said.
- The veto freezes final adoption of the €90 billion support plan for 2026–2027, which requires unanimous approval for EU budget changes despite a unanimous political deal in December.
- Budapest and Bratislava accuse Kyiv of delaying Druzhba repairs after significant damage on January 27, while Ukraine attributes the stoppage to Russian attacks and wartime infrastructure constraints.
- Ukraine has proposed using the Odessa–Brody pipeline to supply Hungary and Slovakia, according to a letter from Kyiv’s mission to the EU reported by media.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia launched nearly 300 drones and about 50 missiles overnight targeting the energy sector, and he reported security forces had neutralized mercenaries preparing assassination attempts.