BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Slovakia has suspended emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine amidst a deepening dispute over interrupted Russian oil shipments via the Druzhba pipeline. The move comes as Ukraine continues to grapple with severe power shortages resulting from systematic Russian bombardment of its energy infrastructure.
The conflict centers on the suspension of Russian oil deliveries to Slovakia and Hungary since January 27. Ukrainian authorities attribute the interruption to damage caused by Russian drone attacks on the critical pipeline infrastructure. However, the governments of both Slovakia and Hungary—recognized as the European Union’s most Russia-friendly members—have accused Ukraine of deliberately withholding oil shipments despite having received special exemptions from EU sanctions prohibiting Russian oil imports.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, a populist leader, announced the retaliatory measure after claiming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declined to engage in discussions until after 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,” Fico stated, adding that the electricity suspension would be lifted once oil transit resumes.
The Slovak opposition has condemned the government’s decision, while Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha appealed for “constructive cooperation and responsible behavior” from both nations. Fico has threatened additional measures if oil shipments don’t resume, including potentially withdrawing support for Ukraine’s European Union membership aspirations.
Both Slovakia and Hungary have challenged Ukraine’s damage claims, asserting without providing evidence that the Druzhba pipeline remains operational. Fico revealed that Slovakia’s ambassador to Kyiv has been denied access to inspect the allegedly damaged sections. The Slovak leader characterized the oil suspension as “a purely political decision with the aim of blackmailing Slovakia” due to its divergent views on Russia’s war against Ukraine compared to mainstream European perspectives.