Hungarian Foreign Minister said a trilateral consultation with the Slovak and Ukrainian energy ministers was scheduled for today, but the Ukrainian side ultimately refused to take part

• "It is therefore clear that Ukraine is not restarting the Druzhba oil pipeline for purely political reasons, even though it is technically ready to operate.'"

This headline indicates a significant geopolitical rift, as Ukraine's refusal to participate in trilateral energy consultations suggests underlying tensions that could impact regional energy supplies. The implications are noteworthy for energy markets, particularly for crude oil and natural gas, as any delay in operations like the Druzhba pipeline could create supply constraints in Europe, potentially affecting prices and market sentiment. Such developments also raise concerns about the stability of energy arrangements within the EU during a critical time for energy security.