BUDAPEST — Hungary and Slovakia have agreed to build a 127-kilometer pipeline that will transport gasoline and diesel between their refineries. The pipeline will link Hungary's refinery in Százhalombatta with Slovakia's refinery in Bratislava.

The pipeline will be capable of transporting 1.5 million tons of gas and diesel per year. Work on linking the two refineries is expected to be completed by the first half of 2027. Both refineries are owned by the Hungarian company Mol Group.

Hungary and Slovakia are the only two European Union countries that continue to import Russian oil. Russian oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline have been interrupted since late January 2026. Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone strike damaged the Druzhba pipeline's infrastructure and that repairing the pipeline carried risks to technicians. Ukrainian officials said the Druzhba pipeline would remain vulnerable to further Russian attacks even if restored.

Hungary's government blocked a €90 billion loan from the European Union to Ukraine in response to the pipeline interruptions. On March 6, 2026, Hungary halted fuel exports to Ukraine until Ukraine restored the full function of the Druzhba pipeline. Hungary and Slovakia have been in a dispute with Ukraine over access to pipeline supplies crossing Ukrainian territory.

Slovakia's Energy Ministry said the supply disruptions "highlighted the vulnerability of energy infrastructure and the need to diversify supply routes and sources." The new pipeline should improve supply flexibility and enable more efficient fuel transfers between refineries in both countries, according to Slovakia's Energy Ministry.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said the fuel link would "add value to Hungary's energy and diesel supplies and help counter the effects of wars around the world." Ukraine said Russia is responsible for damaging the Druzhba pipeline.

European Union leaders voiced anger at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for blocking a €90 billion loan to Ukraine. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán opposed new European sanctions on Moscow.