Slovakia is preparing to potentially resume imports of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline as early as Thursday, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Slovak Ministry of Economy. The move comes after a halt in supplies following damage to the pipeline caused by what Russia claims were strikes, and amid escalating tensions between Slovakia and Ukraine over energy policy.
The resumption of oil flow is contingent on developments in Ukraine, where repairs to the Druzhba pipeline have been completed, but the timing of full restoration remains uncertain. The Slovak Ministry of Economy stated that the date for resuming supplies had been postponed to February 26, but Ukraine has not provided a reason for the delay.
The dispute over the Druzhba pipeline has develop into a central point of contention between Slovakia, Hungary, and Ukraine. Both Slovakia and Hungary rely on the pipeline for a significant portion of their oil needs. On Monday, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that Slovakia would suspend emergency electricity exports to Ukraine until Russian oil deliveries via Druzhba are restored. This decision followed accusations from both Hungary and Slovakia that Ukraine was deliberately delaying repairs to the pipeline.
In late January, damage to the Druzhba pipeline, attributed by Russia to strikes, disrupted supplies. Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced on August 20, 2025, that the pipeline had resumed operations following repairs after a Ukrainian drone attack damaged a pumping station. Szijjártó emphasized the require to avoid further attacks on the “vital” pipeline, stating that Hungary should be kept out of the conflict.
The situation has further strained relations between Slovakia and Ukraine. Last week, both Slovakia and Hungary halted deliveries of diesel fuel to Ukraine. Hungary has blocked a proposed European Union sanctions package against Russia, as well as a planned €90 billion aid package for Ukraine, leveraging the oil supply issue as a point of negotiation.
While the energy dispute unfolds, public opinion in Slovakia remains divided. Thousands of people in Bratislava have staged demonstrations in support of Ukraine, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. These demonstrators also voiced opposition to Prime Minister Fico’s decision to halt electricity exports to Ukraine, chanting slogans such as “Shame!” and “Down with Fico!” outside the Russian embassy.
Slovakia had been partially mitigating the disruption by sourcing oil from Croatia via a pipeline running through Hungary, according to reports. However, the full restoration of Druzhba pipeline supplies remains a priority for the Slovak government.
