Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened to halt emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine if oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline are not restored by Monday, February 23rd. The ultimatum, delivered via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, escalates a dispute over damage to the pipeline and accusations of political maneuvering.
According to Ukrainian authorities, the Druzhba pipeline, which transits Ukrainian territory to deliver oil to Slovakia and Hungary, was damaged by Russian strikes near Brody on January 27th. Fico, though, citing reports from Slovak intelligence services, claims repairs are complete and accuses the Ukrainian government of deliberately obstructing oil deliveries to pressure Hungary, which opposes Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.
“The President of Ukraine refuses to understand our peaceful approach and, due to the fact that we do not support the war, he is being malicious towards Slovakia,” Fico wrote on X. He further stated that, given what he considers President Zelenskyy’s unacceptable behavior towards Slovakia, he justified his refusal to participate in the recently approved €90 billion military aid package for Ukraine.
The threat to cut electricity supplies comes as Slovakia’s Slovnaft refinery, which processes Russian crude oil delivered via the Druzhba pipeline, is a major supplier of diesel fuel to Ukraine, providing approximately 10% of the country’s consumption, according to Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár. Blanár warned that continued attacks on the Druzhba pipeline could deprive Ukraine of these deliveries.
Blanár discussed the issue with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who acknowledged Slovakia’s concerns. While acknowledging Ukraine’s difficult situation, Blanár emphasized the critical importance of the pipeline infrastructure to Slovakia, stating that Ukraine was inadvertently undermining its own interests and risking fuel shortages. He added that protecting these deliveries was in Slovakia’s national interest.
Hungary has also weighed into the dispute, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán previously indicating he would veto the EU aid package unless oil flows resume. Zelenskyy, in a statement on Sunday, suggested the pipeline’s future could depend on Hungary’s actions.
The European Council in January emphasized the indivisibility of energy infrastructure within the EU and the European Commission has indicated it is prepared to intervene if this principle is violated. As of Saturday evening, no resolution had been reached, and the deadline set by Fico remained in effect.
