Slovakia has halted emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine, effective Monday, February 23, 2026, in response to Kyiv’s failure to resume Russian oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline, according to a statement from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. The move fulfills a threat made by Fico earlier this week, and escalates tensions between the two countries.
Fico stated that Ukraine informed Bratislava it was willing to discuss the oil transit issue only after February 25th, a delay he characterized as a hostile act. “From today, the principle applies that if the Ukrainian side turns to Slovakia with a request to help stabilize the energy grid, it will not receive such help,” Fico announced.
The suspension of electricity deliveries comes after Slovakia stopped receiving Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline at the end of January, following damage sustained during Russian military strikes. While Ukrainian authorities have reportedly repaired the pumping station at Brody, near Lviv, Fico alleges that the continued halt in oil flow is a deliberate political decision by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He claims Ukraine is attempting to “blackmail” Slovakia regarding its international stance on the war.
“The stoppage of oil flow is a purely political decision aimed at blackmailing Slovakia regarding its international position on the war in Ukraine,” Fico said. He also noted that Ukrainian authorities denied access to the damaged section of the Druzhba pipeline to a Slovak ambassador, despite intelligence suggesting We see operational.
Opposition parties in Slovakia have criticized Fico’s decision, pointing out that the electricity supplies were commercial transactions for which Slovakia received payment. Critics also highlighted the symbolic weight of the move, occurring shortly before the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In addition to halting electricity supplies, Fico has indicated he is prepared to reconsider Slovakia’s support for Ukraine’s membership in the European Union if oil transit is not restored. He emphasized that Slovakia is a sovereign nation and will not be subjected to coercion.
Slovakia relies on the Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava, owned by Hungarian energy company MOL, to process Russian crude oil. The lack of oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline has prompted the Slovak government to activate strategic reserves and declare a state of emergency in the oil sector. In January 2026 alone, emergency electricity deliveries to Ukraine were double the amount provided throughout all of 2025, according to Fico.