Dmitry Petrovsky, Kateryna Chernovol18:50, 23.02.26

3 min.1896

This is the country’s response to the suspension of Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline.

Slovakia is suspending emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine, Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on Facebook .

He calls the decision a response to the suspension of Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline. It takes effect on Monday, February 23. 

According to Fico, if the supply of Russian oil to Slovakia through the Druzhba oil pipeline is not restored today, he will ask the state-owned joint-stock company SEPS to stop the emergency supply of electricity to Ukraine.

“From today, if the Ukrainian side asks Slovakia for assistance in stabilizing the Ukrainian energy network, it will not receive such assistance,” Fico said.

He said it was the first step in response, which “the Slovak government has the right to take.” He argued that it did not contradict the country’s international obligations.

The Prime Minister of Slovakia also added that in January 2026 alone, these emergency supplies, which were needed to stabilize the Ukrainian power grid, were twice as large as in the entire year 2025.

In addition, Fico noted that the country could go further – in particular, reconsider its support for Ukraine’s membership in the European Union:

“If the Ukrainian side continues to harm Slovakia’s interests in the supply of strategic raw materials, the Slovak government will also review its previous constructive positions on Ukraine’s membership in the European Union and prepare further measures.”

At the same time, the official emphasized that he is ready to lift the restrictions after the resumption of oil transit to the countries.

“The President of Ukraine intentionally harmed us by stopping the supply of oil through the oil pipeline. We were forced to declare a state of emergency in the oil industry,” the Prime Minister of Slovakia said.

(c)UNIAN 2026