Friendship Restored (?): Russian Oil Flows Resume
Recent developments around the Druzhba (Friendship) oil pipeline have highlighted just how vulnerable and politically entangled Central Europe’s energy supply remains.
Ukraine
A collection of 216 posts
Czech Republic and Slovakia agree €40m deal to reverse Druzhba pipeline flow
The Czech Republic and Slovakia have agreed to invest approximately €40 million to reverse the flow of the Czech section of the Druzhba pipeline, creating an alternative crude oil supply route for Slovakia amid an ongoing energy crisis triggered by damage to the pipeline's Ukrainian stretch.
EU summit: V4 split over Ukraine
The European Union summit of March 19, 2026, clearly highlighted that the Visegrád cooperation can no longer be seen as a unified political bloc when it comes to the war in Ukraine.
What Druzhba broke: competitiveness and Europe's energy dilemma
A Russian drone strike on Ukraine's Druzhba pipeline in January 2026 has triggered a diplomatic crisis between Kyiv, Budapest and Bratislava - but the real damage runs deeper. The dispute has forced into the open a question: whether the EU can remain industrially competitive while paying two to
Hungary and Ukraine: How a broken pipeline became the centrepiece of an election campaign
With Hungary's parliamentary elections set for 12 April 2026, the relationship between Budapest and Kyiv has deteriorated into one of the most explosive bilateral disputes in Europe.
Druzhba pipeline shutdown plunges Hungary and Slovakia into oil dispute with Ukraine
Oil still halted a month after a Druzhba pipeline strike, with Hungary and Slovakia blaming Ukraine for stalling repairs in a deepening row.
A shift in Poland’s Ukraine policy: Planning for the long-term
Significant changes have taken place both in the status of Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
Military support for Ukraine: Ammunition continues to flow from Czechia, Slovakia waits and Poland shows continuing support
Contrary to initial interpretations, Czech ammunition deliveries to Ukraine have not been suspended and are continuing.
V4: the presidential summit did not bring a renaissance
The presidents of the V4 countries gathered in Esztergom —but the differing views on Russian aggression undermines regional unity.
War fatigue in the region: how perceptions of the conflict in Ukraine have changed
Public attitudes toward the war in Ukraine vary highly and have shifted significantly across the CEE region.
Polish railway sabotage: Similar attack attempts becoming more frequent
Polish police have made another arrest in connection with a serious railway sabotage case.
Von der Leyen tours NATO frontline countries
Von der Leyen's visits to frontline NATO states aims to deliver a message of solidarity while boosting Europe’s defence capacity, promoting joint procurement and galvanising industrial support through the EU’s SAFE mechanism.
Ruginiene confirmed as Lithuania’s new prime minister
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda described Ruginiene as “a constructive negotiator who seeks compromise”, adding that foreign policy continuity, especially support for Ukraine, would be maintained. Nauseda signed a decree on 27 August formally appointing her.
NATO allies all meet defence spending target, as CEE leads
The alliance’s biggest spenders are all on the Eastern flank and neighbouring Russia, with Poland leading the pack (4.48%) ahead of Lithuania (4.0%), Latvia (3.73%), and Estonia (3.38%). The US is sixth at 3.22% of GDP.
Hungary, Slovakia urge EC to stop Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil pipeline
Ukrainian drones have struck at least 10 key Russian energy facilities this month alone, according to US news channel CNN. Attacks on 12, 17 and 21-22 August all targeted Druzhba's same pipeline’s southern leg.