Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has proposed a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. According to Fico, it would be desirable to involve representatives from Ukraine and Hungary in this conversation to expedite the resumption of oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Slovakia’s Position and Demands to the European Commission
The head of the Slovak government emphasized that the situation surrounding the Druzhba pipeline has become a shared problem for Ukraine and Europe, calling on the EU to make a clear choice:
“This has now become a European-Ukrainian issue, and Europe must decide whose side it is on.”
Fico believes that the European Commission should find time for negotiations within a few days. He also expressed his intention to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but stressed that consultations with the leadership of the European Commission should take place first.
At this point, neither Volodymyr Zelensky nor Ursula von der Leyen has commented on the Slovak initiative.
Blocking Sanctions and Controversies Surrounding the Pipeline
Slovakia and Hungary are currently blocking the adoption of the 20th sanctions package against the Russian Federation and delaying the provision of a multi-billion euro loan to Ukraine, which was agreed upon by EU leaders in December. Representatives of these countries state that they will maintain their veto until the transportation of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline is restored.
Ukrainian officials assert that the pipeline was damaged due to Russian shelling at the end of January. However, representatives from Hungary and Slovakia deny this. On February 23, the European Commission confirmed that “Russia has destroyed the Druzhba pipeline,” while emphasizing Ukraine’s obligation to carry out repair work. The timeline for restoration depends on the Ukrainian side.
Following the onset of full-scale aggression, the EU imposed an embargo on the import of Russian oil, but exceptions were made for Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria due to their lack of direct access to the sea and dependence on the Druzhba pipeline.
This pipeline, which runs through Ukraine, facilitates the transportation of Russian oil to Europe, primarily to Slovakia and Hungary.
According to a study by the Finnish Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and the Bulgarian Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD), from the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022 to 2024, the import of Russian crude oil to Slovakia and Hungary has brought 5.4 billion euros in revenue to the Russian budget. This amount is equivalent to the cost of approximately 1,800 Iskander-M ballistic missiles.