Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is currently in discussions with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico regarding ongoing issues related to oil supply through the Druzhba pipeline. The President has extended an invitation to Fico to visit Ukraine for further dialogue.
As of now, Fico has not publicly commented on the conversation. Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced on February 27 that he would consult with Fico, citing the lack of resumed oil supplies from Ukraine via the Druzhba pipeline.
On February 26, Orban issued an open letter and video statement directed at Zelensky, accusing Kyiv of blocking the Druzhba pipeline and calling for greater respect towards Hungary. Reports indicate that Orban had previously approached the European Union on February 25, requesting a fact-finding mission to assess damage to the pipeline in Ukraine, suggesting that this could facilitate new EU financing for Ukraine.
Slovakia and Hungary are currently obstructing the approval of the 20th sanctions package against Russia and the allocation of a multi-billion euro loan to Ukraine, which EU leaders had agreed upon at a summit in December. Both countries have stated they will maintain their veto until the transportation of Russian crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline is restored.
Ukrainian officials assert that the pipeline was damaged due to Russian shelling at the end of January, a claim that Hungarian and Slovak officials dispute. On February 23, the European Commission confirmed that Russia had destroyed the Druzhba pipeline, while also noting Ukraine’s obligations to repair it, with timelines dependent on Ukrainian actions.
Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, the EU has prohibited the purchase of Russian oil. However, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria have received exemptions, as these countries lack access to maritime routes and rely on the Druzhba pipeline for oil supplies.
The Druzhba pipeline, which transits through Ukraine, is crucial for transporting Russian oil to Europe, particularly to Hungary and Slovakia. According to a study by the Finnish Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and the Bulgarian Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD), imports of Russian crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia from 2022 to 2024 are projected to generate €5.4 billion in revenue for the Kremlin, equivalent to the cost of 1,800 Iskander-M ballistic missiles.
Ukrainian President Zelensky is in talks with Slovak Prime Minister Fico regarding oil supply issues linked to the Druzhba pipeline. The discussions come amid tensions with Hungary over accusations of supply blockages and the ongoing impact of sanctions against Russia.