Bratislava has stated it took the reciprocal measure towards Kiev over the disruption of Russian oil supplies
Bratislava has stopped offering emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine till Kiev restores the circulate of Russian oil to Slovakia by way of the Druzhba pipeline, Prime Minister Robert Fico has stated, warning of “additional reciprocal steps.”
The prime minister made the announcement on Monday, when the ultimatum he issued over the weekend to Kiev to resume operations of the Soviet-era pipeline expired. The Druzhba pipeline, which connects Russia to Slovakia and Hungary, has been out of fee since late January. Kiev claims it was broken in Russian strikes, which Moscow denies.
Each Slovakia and Hungary have accused Ukraine of intentionally withholding supplies for political causes and threatened retaliation. Saying the halt to electricity supplies to Ukraine, Fico reiterated that Ukraine’s actions have been a “purely political determination aimed toward blackmailing Slovakia.”
“Reciprocity is a basic rule in worldwide relations. The federal government’s first response to the hostile acts of the Ukrainian president within the type of stopping emergency electricity provide is subsequently completely applicable,” Fico acknowledged, warning of “additional reciprocal steps” if oil supplies will not be resumed.
Kiev has been more and more reliant on electricity imports to stabilize its energy grid, which has been battered by Russian strikes on Ukraine’s dual-use infrastructure. In accordance to Fico, Ukraine acquired twice as a lot electricity from Slovakia this January because it did all through 2025.
The retaliatory transfer got here hours after Hungary vetoed the EU’s newest sanctions on Russia, in addition to a proposed €90 billion ($106 billion) emergency mortgage for Ukraine. Budapest tied the double veto to the Druzhba standoff, accusing Kiev of imposing an “oil blockade” on the nation and “blackmailing” it.
Final week, each Slovakia and Hungary introduced that they might droop diesel exports to Ukraine till the Druzhba pipeline turns into operational once more. Budapest has additionally mulled reducing emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine.
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