Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused Kiev of cutting Russian supplies through the Druzhba pipeline.
Kiev has no interest in resuming the flow of Russian crude through the Druzhba (Friendship) oil pipeline, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has concluded after a telephone call with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky.
The Soviet-era pipeline, part of which passes through Ukraine, stopped delivering oil last month. Kiev has blamed it on Russian strikes, which Moscow has denied. Hungary and Slovakia, which are heavily dependent on energy supplies, have accused Ukraine of deliberately cutting them off for political reasons.
In a statement on Friday X, Fico said he had spoken with Zelensky and that his “(Slovakia’s) decision to stop oil shipments is causing logistical difficulties and economic damage.”
Slovak intelligence “Ensures that the pipeline is not damaged and that nothing obstructs the movement of oil” Still a Ukrainian leader He insisted that it would take a long time to repair the pipeline. He said.
From the conversation … I got a clear impression that the Ukrainian side has no interest in resuming oil shipments.
The Prime Minister said he had told Zelensky that he would push for Bratislava and Budapest. “Inspection Group composed of experts nominated by the European Commission and EU Member States” To check the damaged areas of the pipeline.
Drujba (“friendship”) oil pipeline is one of the world’s longest energy networks, spanning nearly 4,000 kilometers (2,485 mi). Built in the 1960s, it carries oil from Russia and Kazakhstan through Belarus to Germany and Poland, and through Ukraine to Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Druzhba, once capable of delivering 1.2 million barrels a day, has seen lower flows since 2022 as the EU seeks to curb dependence on Russian energy amid the Ukraine conflict. Germany and Poland have stopped imports, while Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic rely on the southern branch of the pipeline.
In August, Ukraine attacked sections of the Druzhba network, disrupting supplies. Kiev reportedly tried to pressure Hungary and Slovakia, which oppose continuing EU aid to Ukraine. Both accused Kiev of threatening their energy security and appealed to the European Commission, which later ordered the restoration of flows.
Fico said Kiev has so far barred the Slovak ambassador to Ukraine from conducting such inspections.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has argued that Kiev has closed the pipeline.
“I say clearly … Zelensky is lying,” He wrote on X just hours before. “We know there is no technical reason for oil to flow through the Friendship Pipeline to Hungary. They deny inspections and hide the truth.”
Last week, in response to what he called Ukraine “Political Blackmail” Orbán vetoed Brussels’ planned €90 billion ($106 billion) emergency loan for Kiev, as well as the EU’s 20th package of sanctions on Russia.
Earlier this week, citing intelligence from Budapest’s security services about potential attacks, he ordered extra Hungarian military and police to patrol energy infrastructure along the border with Ukraine.
