Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for stronger regional coordination on energy security following escalating tensions over oil and gas flows to Central Europe. The remarks came in the wake of renewed disputes with Hungary, triggered by disruptions to a key pipeline supplying crude oil to both Hungary and Slovakia. Kyiv has accused Moscow of using energy infrastructure as a geopolitical weapon, while also highlighting that ongoing Russian attacks and sabotage risks have left the regional network increasingly vulnerable.
Zelensky emphasized that securing critical energy corridors is not only a matter of national interest for Ukraine, but also a strategic priority for Europe as a whole. With Central and Eastern Europe heavily dependent on cross-border flows, any disruption immediately raises concerns over supply reliability and price volatility. The pipeline tensions have revived debates in Hungary and Slovakia about diversification of supply routes, storage capacity, and the role of EU-level mechanisms to protect member states from unilateral energy shocks.
The dispute underscores how energy security remains a frontline issue in the broader geopolitical conflict between Russia and Ukraine. While Ukraine has positioned itself as a critical transit country for Europe, repeated disruptions highlight the fragility of current arrangements and the urgency of long-term alternatives. For Kyiv, aligning with European partners on energy resilience strengthens its case for deeper integration with Western institutions; for the region, the episode is a reminder that infrastructure vulnerabilities can quickly translate into strategic risks.