Slovakia has intensified its dispute with Ukraine over disrupted oil supplies by suspending emergency electricity exports to the war-affected country, a move that comes as Ukraine continues to face widespread power shortages caused by repeated Russian strikes on its energy infrastructure. The decision marks a sharp escalation in tensions between the two neighbours at a time when regional energy security remains fragile.
The conflict stems from the interruption of Russian oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline, a key energy corridor that transports crude oil across Ukrainian territory to Central European countries, including Slovakia and Hungary. Oil flows have been halted since January 27 following damage that Ukrainian officials attribute to Russian drone attacks targeting infrastructure along the pipeline route. The disruption has triggered concerns in both countries, which still rely on Russian oil under temporary exemptions granted by the European Union despite broader sanctions.
Slovakia and Hungary, widely regarded as the most Russia-friendly governments within the EU bloc, have accused Ukraine of intentionally blocking oil transit, rejecting Kyiv’s explanation that the pipeline was damaged by Russian attacks. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico argued that intelligence assessments suggested the pipeline remained operational and alleged that Ukraine’s actions were politically motivated. He described the halt in supplies as a form of pressure aimed at countries whose positions on the Russia-Ukraine war differ from the prevailing EU stance.
In response, Fico announced that Slovakia would immediately stop providing emergency electricity support to Ukraine, stating that assistance would resume only after oil transit is restored. He warned that further retaliatory measures could follow if shipments do not restart, including reconsidering Slovakia’s backing for Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union. The decision drew criticism from Slovakia’s domestic opposition, which argued that withholding energy aid during wartime undermines regional solidarity.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged both Slovakia and Hungary to pursue constructive dialogue and act responsibly, stressing the importance of cooperation during an ongoing conflict that has severely damaged Ukraine’s energy grid. The dispute highlights how energy dependencies and differing political positions within Europe continue to complicate unity over the war, with infrastructure damage, sanctions policies and national interests increasingly intersecting in the region’s broader geopolitical tensions.
