Hungary accuses Brussels of "colluding with Kyiv" to threaten the energy supplies of Hungary and Slovakia, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said after an EU foreign ministers’ meeting on February 24.

At the meeting in Brussels, Hungary reiterated that it would only support measures to aid Ukraine if Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline are restored, and Budapest signalled that it will block the 20th sanction package against Russia and the €90bn loan to the war-torn country.

Szijjarto accused Kyiv of deliberately blocking the pipeline for political reasons. Slovakia backed Hungary’s position, citing its reliance on Russian crude for energy security. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul criticised Budapest’s stance, calling it "astonishing" and a potential betrayal of European solidarity.

Szijjarto claimed that Ukraine misled EU partners about the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline.

After a video call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, Luxembourg’s counterpart asked whether Hungary and Slovakia could send experts to inspect the Druzhba pipeline. Andriy Sybiha hesitated and said he needed to consult further, contradicting earlier assurances that experts could visit freely.

Hungary's chief diplomat said this revealed Ukraine was not being truthful, and added that Kaja Kallas then suggested sending Hungarian and Slovak troops instead of experts, which he called shocking.

Szijjarto called it "staggering" that Ukraine and Brussels were "colluding" to threaten the energy supply to EU member states and that the EU was standing by Ukraine instead of Hungary and Slovakia.

The discussions revealed that Europe is preparing for a long war, aiming to send more troops and funds to Ukraine, which needs €155bn in military expenditure this year, far above the previously agreed €90bn, he said.