BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Slovakia has suspended emergency power assistance to Ukraine on Monday, intensifying a disagreement over oil shipments as Ukraine continues to face widespread blackouts from Russian attacks on its electrical infrastructure.
Oil deliveries from Russia to Slovakia and Hungary have been disrupted since January 27 following what Ukrainian authorities describe as Russian drone strikes that harmed the Druzhba pipeline, a crucial route transporting Russian crude through Ukrainian land into Central Europe.
Slovakia and Hungary, considered the EU’s most Russia-friendly nations, have accused Ukraine of intentionally blocking oil shipments. Both countries secured temporary waivers from European Union restrictions on Russian oil imports.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, a populist leader, announced Monday’s action came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to address the matter with him before Wednesday.
“Given the seriousness of the situation and the declared state of oil emergency in Slovakia, we are forced to take the first reciprocal measure immediately. It will be lifted immediately after the resumption of oil transit to Slovakia,” Fico said in a statement.
“As of today, if the Ukrainian side turns to Slovakia with a request for assistance in stabilizing the Ukrainian energy network, it will not receive such assistance,” he said.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged both nations “to engage in constructive cooperation and responsible behavior.”
Opposition parties in Slovakia criticized the move.
Fico warned of additional actions if oil deliveries don’t restart, including withdrawing Slovak support for Ukraine’s European Union membership bid.
Both Slovakia and Hungary have disputed Ukraine’s account, asserting the Druzhba pipeline remains operational for oil transport, though they haven’t provided supporting evidence.
“Our intelligence services report that the oil pipeline in Ukraine is functional,” Fico said. “Our ambassador to Kyiv has not yet been allowed to visit the part of the oil pipeline that the Ukrainian side claims is damaged.”
The Slovak leader claimed halting oil shipments represented “a purely political decision with the aim of blackmailing Slovakia” due to the country’s differing perspective on the Russian conflict compared to mainstream European views.
