Neither the Government of Hungary nor the Government of the Slovak Republic has condemned Russia's January 27 attack on oil infrastructure. Instead, these countries resort to blackmail and ultimatums, threatening to block the twentieth sanctions package and the European loan, as well as to cease the supply of electricity, gas, and fuel to Ukraine. These two countries cannot hold the entire EU hostage, and Hungarian and Slovak ultimatums should be addressed only to the Kremlin.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, stated this on February 23 during his online participation in the meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council.

The Minister recalled that the cause of the problems with oil transit via “Druzhba” was Russia’s strike on January 27, and highlighted its severe consequences not only for energy transit but for the entire region.

“The actions of Budapest and Bratislava currently only play into the hands of the Russian aggressor. We call upon the governments of Hungary and the Slovak Republic for constructive cooperation and responsible behavior. Continuing and intensifying pressure on Moscow is of paramount importance,” the Minister emphasized.

On the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Head of the MFA stressed that Putin has completely miscalculated regarding Ukraine. According to the diplomat, Russia attempted to intimidate and divide Europe, yet faced unprecedented unity and a new strength of a rearming and expanding Europe.

“Throughout these four years, Ukraine has held the line — defending freedom, justice, and European values. Russia will remain an existential threat to Europe. Therefore, this war is being waged not only against Ukraine. Just as the Putin regime seeks to destroy Ukrainian statehood, it seeks to destroy Europe — its fundamental values and international law. Putin seeks a new Yalta, a new Munich, and new spheres of influence. You all know this. We all see what is at stake now,” he remarked.

Andrii Sybiha briefed his European counterparts on the situation on the battlefield, peace efforts, and Ukraine’s urgent needs. The diplomat stated that Ukraine’s goal is to completely halt any Russian advancement on the battlefield.

“Putin’s claims that russian troops are steadily moving forward and will sooner or later achieve their goals are merely propaganda. Thanks to the asymmetric actions of our forces, the russian army, on the contrary, is moving towards strategic exhaustion. We must transform the war of attrition waged by Putin into the exhaustion of his regime and military economy,” the Minister declared.

The Head of the MFA emphasized Ukraine’s readiness to move swiftly toward peace and advocated for greater European participation in the peace process, highlighting the leadership of the United States. At the same time, according to the diplomat, the Ukrainian side still observes Russia’s reluctance to end the war and take real and serious steps toward peace.

The head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission called on the EU to introduce a comprehensive ban on entry for participants in the Russian aggression and their relatives and stated Ukraine’s readiness to share relevant data with member states.

“The faster and more comprehensively we act, the harder it will be for Russia to adapt. Every euro and dollar invested in Ukraine's defense industry is an investment in your security, European security. We must also continue the sanctions pressure: the twentieth package, a ban on maritime services, and further pressure on the shadow fleet, as well as its companies and personnel,” the Minister noted.

The Foreign Minister called for making 2026 the year of successful implementation of the SAFE program for financing joint defense initiatives of Ukraine and the EU, as well as for continuing contributions to the NATO PURL initiative, through which Ukraine receives critical American weaponry.

Andrii Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine is ready to fulfill all requirements for full EU membership so that the Lithuanian presidency becomes historic for the Union’s expansion.

“In Ukraine, we believe that our accession, as well as the accession of Moldova and the Western Balkan countries, serves the strategic interests of the EU and is today a geopolitical, security, and economic necessity. Four years ago, Ukraine and Europe faced a choice and a point of no return. Today, this choice defines our common future,” he underlined.

The Minister expressed deep gratitude to European allies for energy support during a difficult winter for Ukrainians.

“This winter, Russia tried to freeze and break Ukraine. But the Kremlin lost this battle. Ukraine endured — primarily thanks to you, thanks to state and volunteer support. Thank you for the 145 million euros in emergency humanitarian aid and for the provision of nearly a thousand generators of all types,” the diplomat concluded.