The resumption of Russian oil flow to Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline, which traverses Ukraine, has been confirmed by Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Saková. This significant development represents a breakthrough in a diplomatic dispute affecting Europe. It is anticipated to facilitate the release of a substantial financial assistance package for Ukraine, which the ongoing conflict has severely impacted.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico welcomed this news, indicating it as a positive step forward and expressing hope for the establishment of a meaningful relationship between Ukraine and the European Union. He extended gratitude to all parties involved in resolving this issue, including the European Commission and Hungary.
Hungary and Slovakia had been engaged in a dispute with Ukraine following the halt of Russian oil deliveries in January due to damage sustained by the pipeline. Ukrainian officials attributed this damage to drone attacks originating from Russia.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who recently suffered an electoral defeat, accused Ukraine of intentionally delaying repairs, a claim Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied. PM Fico expressed scepticism about the reported damage to the pipeline, suggesting it has been politicised amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
While Ukraine and most of its European partners oppose the importation of Russian oil—given its role in funding the ongoing conflict against Ukraine—Hungary and Slovakia continue to rely on Russian energy supplies. For two months, these two countries accused Ukraine of inaction in repairing the pipeline. Consequently, Hungary blocked a significant EU loan to Ukraine, and Slovakia refrained from endorsing new sanctions against Russia until oil supplies were restored.
The flow of oil resumed at 2 a.m. on Thursday after a three-month suspension, according to the Slovak Ministry of Economy. This development alleviates a major obstacle to the approval of EU funds for Ukraine later today, coinciding with an EU leaders’ summit in Cyprus. Ukraine urgently requires a loan package of €90 billion, initially agreed upon in December, to stabilise its economy and bolster its defences against Russian aggression over the next two years.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
