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Zelenskyy invites Slovak PM to Kyiv amid Druzhba oil dispute
1 day ago•Source: Euronews.com
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Italy urges pause on EU carbon market amid competitiveness fears
Italy's Industry Minister Adolfo Urso asked the EU to suspend the Emissions Trading System until a comprehensive reform is unveiled later this summer, arguing the ETS acts as a tax on energy-intensive firms and harms European competitiveness, while Nordic industry groups stress the ETS as a key, reformable tool.
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Orbán backs expert probe of Druzhba pipeline amid veto fallout
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Oil at stake: Hungary’s veto could tilt Europe’s Ukraine strategy
Hungary’s veto of the EU’s next round of Russia sanctions over oil and energy concerns blocks a united EU approach to pressuring Moscow and delays a €90 billion loan to Kyiv, illustrating how energy security and Hungary’s election considerations shape Europe’s Ukraine policy. The piece argues sanctions have diminishing returns and suggests Europe may need a revised strategy to pressure Russia while managing domestic energy impacts as Ukraine seeks stronger pressure to end the war.
Iceland to test EU path again with referendum on restarting accession talks
Iceland will hold a referendum in the coming months on restarting EU accession talks, reviving interest in joining the bloc after Reykjavik paused negotiations in 2013. A rise in living costs and the war in Ukraine helped rekindle interest, and the government says reopening talks could open opportunities and deepen European integration, even though Iceland already participates in the EU’s single market, Schengen, and the European Free Trade Association alongside NATO membership.
EU urges rapid Druzhba repairs as Adria route emerges as oil lifeline
The European Commission urged Ukraine to accelerate repairs to the Druzhba pipeline after Russian attacks and Hungary’s double veto blocked a €90 billion loan and new sanctions, while Croatia’s Adria (JANAF) pipeline is identified as a viable alternative to keep oil flowing to Hungary and Slovakia. Croatia is examining whether it can legally receive non-Russian crude at its port; EU officials say there is no immediate risk to supply and Adria could meet the two countries’ annual needs, though no fixed timeline for Druzhba repairs exists amid ongoing political wrangling.
Druzhba Pipeline Friction: Europe’s Energy-Politics Clash
A disruption on the Druzhba oil pipeline—the so‑called 'Friendship' line—has become a flashpoint in Europe: Hungary and Slovakia halted their diesel exports to Ukraine, Ukraine struck a Russian pumping station feeding the line, and Hungary’s Orbán threatened to block a €90 billion EU loan to Kyiv. The EU is holding emergency talks with Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia to find alternative routes as Croatia resists Russian oil flows, underscoring how energy infrastructure is closely tied to geopolitics amid the Ukraine war.
Putin's Endgame: A Neutral Ukraine and a Fraying European Order
Four Russia-Ukraine experts argue Putin’s aims have stayed constant: a neutral, demilitarized Ukraine under Russian influence with Crimea and Donbas non-negotiable; but whether he seeks full political control or a stalemate is debated. With Western guarantees unreliable, Ukraine must rely on its own military, and any settlement would hinge on a ceasefire and demarcation that tests the rules-based order.
Brussels oil feud: Hungary blocks Ukraine aid amid Druzhba dispute
Hungary’s foreign minister Péter Szijjártó vetoed urgent Ukraine aid in Brussels over an energy dispute linked to the Druzhba oil pipeline and clashed with Ukrainian journalists, arguing Hungary’s sovereign energy choices and accusing Kyiv of hostility. The move risks stalling a sanctions package, with Hungary previously exempt from a loan but signaling a reversal. The EU says Druzhba damage was caused by a Russian strike, while Kyiv and Brussels trade blame as Europe seeks to reduce Russian oil by 2027.
Ukraine logs rare southern-front gains, reclaiming eight settlements
Ukraine says it has regained about 400 square kilometers of territory along the southern frontline since late January, including eight settlements in the Dnipropetrovsk region—a rare gain amid a two-year war. Oleksandr Syrskyi did not specify how much was previously Russian-held or in grey zones. Kyiv did not immediately clarify with its General Staff. The report comes as domestic and international actors, including Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, commented on Kyiv’s gains and broader negotiations.
EU voting overhaul urged to curb Hungary’s veto power
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys urged reform of EU voting rules to curb Hungary’s habit of using its veto, citing Budapest’s blocking of a €90 billion Ukraine loan and a sanctions package over oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline; he suggested shifting to qualified majority voting and even restricting voting rights in some areas, warning that continued vetoes could threaten the EU’s geopolitical role.
Germany rethinks China as industry fears grow
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Hungary blocks €90B Ukraine loan over Druzhba oil dispute ahead of elections
Hungary blocked a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of sabotaging Druzhba oil transit and using the energy dispute for political leverage ahead of April elections, risking delays to Kyiv’s funding as EU diplomacy seeks a resolution to the energy standoff.