In a statement following a phone call with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stressed the urgent need to create a political and legal framework that would allow EU member states to replenish depleted gas and oil reserves. He highlighted the strategic importance of diversifying energy sources, including supplies from Russia.

According to Fico, EU sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector are no longer appropriate amid current price spikes and should be lifted as soon as possible. He also proposed that the EU launch an independent initiative to help bring a swift end to the conflict in Ukraine, alongside concrete steps to restore operations of the Druzhba pipeline—a key route supplying oil to several Central European countries.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán echoed similar views, urging the EU to immediately lift sanctions on Russian energy in light of the deepening energy crisis.

Orbán warned that Europe’s economy is under direct threat from energy shortages and soaring prices. To navigate the situation, he said, the EU must secure oil and gas supplies from all available sources at maximum capacity and speed. He also called on the EU to pressure Ukraine’s leadership to reopen the Druzhba pipeline, while criticizing plans to fully phase out Russian energy in favor of more costly alternatives.

The statements from the Hungarian and Slovak leaders come at a critical time. Since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, diesel prices in Europe have surged by more than 30%, exceeding 200 USD per barrel on April 2—the highest level since March 2022, shortly after the onset of the Russia–Ukraine conflict.