Ukrainian energy operator Ukrenergo has stated that the potential cessation of emergency electricity supplies from Slovakia will not impact the country’s unified energy system. The company noted that Ukraine last requested emergency assistance from Slovakia over a month ago, and the support received was limited in scope.
Ukrenergo further clarified that emergency aid from Slovakia has been infrequent, characterized by short-term deliveries. The operator emphasized that there have been no official documents indicating a unilateral termination of the mutual assistance agreement by Slovakia’s system operator, SEPS.
On February 23, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that his country would halt emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine unless oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline were restored by that day. Fico also mentioned that emergency supplies in January 2026 were double those of the entire year of 2025.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy previously reported a record import of electricity from the European Union in January, totaling 41.987 GWh, although it did not specify how much was sourced from Slovakia.
Fico’s statement followed unsuccessful attempts by European ministers in Brussels to persuade Slovakia and Hungary to retract their threats of punitive measures against Ukraine for delays in restoring oil pipeline operations.
Both Slovakia and Hungary are blocking the approval of the 20th sanctions package against Russia and the allocation of a multi-billion-euro loan to Ukraine, which EU leaders agreed upon during a summit in December. The two countries have vowed to maintain their veto until the transportation of Russian resources through the Druzhba pipeline is resumed.
Ukrainian officials assert that the pipeline was damaged due to Russian shelling at the end of January, a claim dismissed by Hungarian and Slovak authorities. On February 23, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that there were no physical obstacles to supplies, emphasizing instead the political nature of the issue. He suggested that Kyiv was pressuring Budapest to unblock negotiations regarding Ukraine’s EU membership.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha reiterated during a European Council meeting on February 23 that the pipeline was indeed damaged, advising the two European capitals to direct their ultimatums towards Moscow.
The European Commission confirmed on February 23 that Russia had destroyed the Druzhba pipeline, while also noting Ukraine’s obligations to repair it, with timelines dependent on Ukrainian efforts. The Commission underscored the expectation for all EU leaders to uphold their commitment made during the December 18 summit to provide Ukraine with a substantial loan.
Efforts by the EU and individual member states to persuade Hungary and Slovakia to lift their vetoes regarding financial support for Ukraine and additional sanctions against Russia will continue at various levels.
Following the onset of the full-scale invasion, the EU imposed a ban on purchasing Russian oil. Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria received extensions due to their status as landlocked countries, which limits their ability to receive oil tankers from other nations and makes them reliant on the Druzhba pipeline.
According to a study by the Finnish Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and the Bulgarian Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD), imports of Russian crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia from the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022 to 2024 have generated €5.4 billion in revenue for the Kremlin, equivalent to the cost of 1,800 Iskander-M ballistic missiles.
Ukrenergo has confirmed that the possible halt of emergency electricity supplies from Slovakia will not impact Ukraine's energy system. This comes amid ongoing political tensions related to oil supply issues and sanctions against Russia.