Slovakia halts emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine amid oil delivery dispute

Slovakia has suspended emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine amid an escalating dispute over oil deliveries, intensifying tensions between the two neighboring countries at a critical time for Ukraine’s energy security.

The decision, announced Monday by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, comes as Ukraine faces daily blackouts resulting from Russia’s systematic bombardment of its power infrastructure. The move represents a significant escalation in a growing diplomatic row centered on disrupted Russian oil shipments.

The dispute began on January 27 when Russian oil shipments to Slovakia and Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline were interrupted. Ukrainian officials attribute the disruption to damage caused by Russian drone attacks on the pipeline, which transports Russian crude across Ukrainian territory into Central Europe.

Both Slovakia and Hungary, widely considered the most pro-Russian members within the European Union, have accused Ukraine of deliberately halting the oil shipments. This accusation comes despite these countries having received temporary exemptions from the EU’s broader policy prohibiting Russian oil imports.

Fico justified Monday’s retaliatory measure by claiming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had declined to discuss the issue with him until after Wednesday.

“Given the seriousness of the situation and the declared state of oil emergency in Slovakia, we are forced to take the first reciprocal measure immediately,” Fico said in a statement. “It will be lifted immediately after the resumption of oil transit to Slovakia.”

The Slovak prime minister further clarified that Ukraine would no longer receive assistance in stabilizing its energy network if requested. This comes at a particularly challenging time for Ukraine, which is struggling to maintain electricity supply amid targeted Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded by calling on both countries “to engage in constructive cooperation and responsible behavior,” highlighting the importance of diplomatic solutions during this crisis.

The decision has sparked domestic controversy in Slovakia, with opposition parties condemning the move as counterproductive and potentially harmful to regional stability.

Fico has threatened to implement additional punitive measures if oil shipments do not resume promptly. These could include withdrawing Slovakia’s support for Ukraine’s aspirations to join the European Union, which would represent a significant diplomatic blow to Kyiv’s European integration efforts.

Both Slovakia and Hungary have challenged Ukraine’s claims about pipeline damage, asserting without providing evidence that the Druzhba pipeline remains functional and capable of transporting oil.

“Our intelligence services report that the oil pipeline in Ukraine is functional,” Fico stated. “Our ambassador to Kyiv has not yet been allowed to visit the part of the oil pipeline that the Ukrainian side claims is damaged.”

The Slovak leader has characterized the disruption as politically motivated, suggesting it is an attempt to pressure Slovakia because its stance on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict differs from the European mainstream. Under Fico’s leadership, Slovakia has adopted a more skeptical position regarding military aid to Ukraine, contrasting with most other EU member states.

This dispute highlights the complex energy interdependence in Central and Eastern Europe, where countries remain partially reliant on Russian energy supplies despite ongoing efforts to diversify sources following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The tension occurs against the backdrop of Ukraine’s increasingly precarious energy situation, with power outages affecting millions of civilians as winter conditions persist. The country has been working to integrate its electricity grid with the European network while simultaneously defending against Russian attacks targeting critical infrastructure.

Energy experts note that this diplomatic standoff illustrates the challenges of maintaining regional energy cooperation amid the broader geopolitical conflict, with civilian populations potentially bearing the consequences of political disputes.