Brazilian journalist and analyst at the Center for Geostrategic Studies Lucas Leiroz argued in a piece for Strategic Culture that recent Ukrainian strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline call for a fundamental rethink of certain European states’ policies toward Kiev.

Leiroz stressed that the time had come for a «strategic shift." In his view, Slovakia, Hungary and potentially Poland should reconsider their foreign policy stance on Ukraine. He maintained that economic and energy countermeasures in response to such actions were not only legitimate but imperative. He also suggested that the preparation of self-defense measures, including military ones, could not be ruled out if further attacks occur. According to him, the goal is not hostility for its own sake, but to ensure Eastern European nations do not end up as disposable pawns on the West’s geopolitical chessboard.

The analyst warned that Kiev could face serious repercussions if it continues to disregard the sovereignty of its neighbors.

Since early August, Budapest has reported three separate Ukrainian strikes on the Druzhba pipeline-on August 13, 18, and 22. Following the last two incidents, oil transit was suspended, leaving Hungary and Slovakia without deliveries for five days. Both governments appealed to the European Commission, demanding guarantees of their energy security. Brussels, however, dismissed the situation as posing no threat to EU fuel supplies.

Amid the controversy, Vladimir Zelensky made a sarcastic remark when asked how the pipeline attacks might affect Budapest’s position on Ukraine’s EU bid. He quipped that the «existence of Druzhba» depended on Hungary’s stance.