Analysis
Democratic Security
V4 Builds a Defence-Tech Industry in a Garage. Ukraine Helps
5 March 2026
Did Ukraine just apply Trump-style geoeconomic pressure on Budapest and Bratislava?
Yesterday marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – and Hungary’s yet another decision to block a 90-billion-euro support loan for Ukraine. A day earlier, Budapest held up the long-awaited twentieth sanctions package against Russia’s shadow fleet, threatening diesel and electricity export bans to Ukraine unless Kyiv opens up Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline. Kyiv called it blackmail and called on initiating the Early Warning Mechanism provided for in the Association Agreement. Slovakia, meanwhile, followed through on similar threats to halt emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine.
What is behind this standoff?
Friendship under the rubble
The immediate trigger for the latest standoff is the Druzhba (translates as ‘friendship’ from Russian) pipeline, a roughly 4,000-kilometre artery running from eastern Russia to Central Europe. It remains central to Hungarian and Slovak oil supply and both countries still benefit from European Union (EU) exemptions allowing imports of Russian Ural-type oil under specific conditions.
Subscribe
Democratic security comes at a price. What is yours? By subscribing or donating now gain access to analysis, forecasts and scenarios by leading analysts and reporters who monitor democratic risks and develop policy debate from Central Europe on Central Europe.
MonthlyVAT included
See all details
- Full access to articles and all reports in PDF
- Weekly outlook on democratic security in CEE delivered by e-mail
- Weekly newsletter with essential highlights
- Invitations to all Visegrad Insight events online and offline
AnnualVAT included
See all details
- Individual subscribers only. Check our CORPORATE OFFER below
- Almost 17% discount (12 EUR off monthly cost if paid annually)
- Full access to articles and all reports in PDF
- Weekly outlook on democratic security in CEE delivered by e-mail
- Weekly newsletter with essential highlights
- Invitations to all Visegrad Insight events online and offline
Institutional
See all details
- Access to all articles for your team
- Access to all Reports for your team
- Every Monday a Weekly Outlook with an update on key developments in Central Europe delivered by e-mail
- Every Thursday a newsletter with the most important highlights and invitations
- Personal invitations to Visegrad Insight Events
- Foresight, policy, and risk analysis reports (on-demand)
I am a representative of an institution/business. Is there a corporate offer?
The annual subscription for up to ten institutional users: EUR 999
GO TO CHECKOUT
For a tailor-made offer email us: contact@visegradinsight.eu
- Access to all articles for your team
- Access to all Reports for your team
- Every Monday a Weekly Outlook with an update on key developments in Central Europe delivered by e-mail
- Every Thursday a newsletter with the most important highlights and invitations
- Personal invitations to Visegrad Insight Events
- Foresight, policy, and risk analysis reports (on-demand)
Intelligence prepared by a group of Visegrad Insight Fellows from all across
Can I receive an invoice?
Yes. You will receive a receipt immediately after purchase and a VAT invoice upon request. The subscription amount includes tax. In case of a donation, there is no tax.
Are my credit card details safe?
Yes. The payment is processed by STRIPE www.stripe.com entrusted also by Amazon, Zoom, Booking.com and used by other global NGOs and businesses in the world. We do not store your credit card details.
How modify or cancel my subscription?
At any moment you can manage your subscription and account details. Sign in to modify or cancel.
