The European Commission called an emergency meeting to talk about problems with the Druzhba oil pipeline. This pipeline carries Russian oil through Ukraine to countries in Central Europe like Hungary and Slovakia. The meeting was called because the oil flow has been stopped for weeks, and this has caused energy concerns in the region.
The pipeline stopped working on January 27, 2026, after damage that many officials say happened during strikes between Ukraine and Russia. Hungary and Slovakia are two countries that depend on this pipeline for oil. Without this pipeline, they have to use emergency oil reserves that the European Union asks all member states to hold for about 90 days.
Hungary and Slovakia have reacted strongly to the pipeline being stopped. Hungary’s foreign minister said his country has paused diesel exports to Ukraine until the pipeline starts working again. He also said that Hungary will protect its energy supply by using its emergency oil reserves.
The European Commission meeting will be held by a special oil coordination group that includes leaders from different European states. They will discuss about how to deal with the oil supply issue and find other sources if the pipeline does not start working.
A spokesperson for the European Commission made it clear that the EU is not forcing Ukraine to meet any strict deadline for repairing the pipeline. The Commission said it is in contact with Ukraine and other countries to understand the problem and trying to find a way to fix this problem as soon as possible.
The European Commission’s decision to call this meeting shows that the problem is serious and could affect fuel supply in whole Europe if it continues. Some political leaders in the region have expressed frustration about how long the pipeline has been not working, while others say the matter must be discussed calmly and with complete information from all sides.
The meeting will also cover that how European member states can support each other if Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba line remain paused. Reports say that countries are trying to find alternatives, such as sending oil through different routes or using sea routes to cover the loss of pipeline deliveries.
Countries like Hungary and Slovakia have also asked the Commission to allow them to use exceptions that allow them to import Russian crude oil by sea until the pipeline starts working again. The EU made these exceptions because some countries do not have sea access and depend more on pipelines for energy.”
Representatives from the European Commission will hear updates from EU member states and Ukraine during the meeting. They will also closely monitor the situation as repair work on the pipeline continues.
The emergency meeting is scheduled to take place on February 25, in Brussels. This decision by the Commission to bring leaders together shows the EU is trying to find ways to handle unexpected changes in oil supply and to work with all countries to fulfil oil needs.
