Hungary and Slovakia signed an agreement on Monday to construct a new 127-kilometer pipeline for gasoline and diesel, a move officials say is designed to bolster energy security and shield the neighbours from what he termed as "blackmail" by Ukraine and European Union leadership.

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced the deal on March 16 following a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council. 

The project will directly link the Duna refinery in Százhalombatta, Hungary, with the Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava, Slovakia, with the pipeline projected to transport 1.5 million metric tons of refined petroleum products annually.  

Szijjártó framed the project as a necessary defensive measure against regional geopolitical tensions. He specifically cited recent disruptions and diplomatic friction with Kyiv over energy transit as a primary motivator for the new infrastructure.

"By connecting the oil refineries in Bratislava and Százhalombatta... it will make both Hungary and Slovakia much more secure against blackmail such as what we are currently experiencing from the Ukrainians," Szijjártó said.

The minister’s comments also took aim at Western European allies, alleging that Ukraine's actions have received tacit support from Berlin and Brussels. 

Szijjártó characterized the pipeline as a safeguard against "misguided policies" and the volatile effects of ongoing global conflicts. The agreement, signed with Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Saková, represents a deepening of energy ties between the two Central European nations. 

While much of the region has sought to decouple from Russian energy sources, Hungary and Slovakia continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining and diversifying their existing refinery networks, a move that constantly pits them against Ukraine. 

Last month, Hungarian described the delayed repair of the Ukrainian branch of the Druzhba pipeline, knocked out of service by Russian strikes in late January, as an “oil blockade” used by Ukraine to pressure the EU. 

However, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, dismissed the claims, adding that Ukrainian workers have already risked their lives to maintain the system and that restoring the flow of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia would beat the purpose of EU sanctions on Russia. 

Meanwhile, construction of the new pipeline is expected to proceed rapidly, with completion targeted for the first half of next year.

Once operational, the 127-kilometer link will provide a direct corridor for fuel, reducing reliance on broader regional networks that pass through high-risk zones. The added capacity ensuring a more stable supply of diesel and gasoline for both domestic markets.