Robert Fico, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, has urged the European Union to lift sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports following a conversation with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Fico emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to address the ongoing energy crisis affecting both nations.
In a statement on Facebook, Fico remarked, “Today’s phone call with Prime Minister Orbán confirmed that we cannot combat the enormous energy crisis solely at the national level. Nevertheless, the governments of Slovakia and Hungary are doing everything possible to protect their national economies and citizens from the ideological blindness and incompetence of the European Commission, the malevolent Ukrainian president, and the consequences of the war against Iran.”
Fico has called for the EU, particularly the European Commission, to re-establish dialogue with Russia and create a political and legal framework that would allow member states to replenish gas and oil supplies from all possible sources, including Russia.
“Therefore, the senseless sanctions prohibiting the import of gas and oil from Russia should be lifted, a separate EU initiative for a swift end to the war in Ukraine should be launched, and decisive steps must be taken to restore the operation of the Druzhba pipeline,” Fico added.
On January 27, a Russian attack damaged critical infrastructure in Brody, Lviv Oblast, affecting operations related to the Druzhba pipeline, which is crucial for transporting Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. The Ukrainian state-owned company Naftogaz reported that the Russian military struck the facility, resulting in a fire and halting technological processes.
According to reports, the attack specifically targeted a facility in Brody linked to the Druzhba pipeline, which continues to function despite the damage. On February 12, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga announced that the supply of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline had been suspended since the January attack. He also indicated that Budapest was preparing to file complaints regarding transit issues.
Sibiga criticized Hungary for not expressing any protest to Russia over the incident, stating, “Hungary has not uttered a word of protest regarding Russia. This reflects a clear double standard.”
Both the Hungarian and Slovak governments have announced a halt to diesel exports to Ukraine until Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline are restored. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Kyiv had informed Budapest about the attack on the Druzhba pipeline and the resulting damage as early as January 27, arguing that accusations of delays in supplies are illogical.
The European Commission has expressed a desire for Ukraine to resume operations of the Druzhba pipeline but noted that the decision rests with Ukraine due to the risk of further Russian attacks.
On February 21, Prime Minister Fico warned that Slovakia would cease electricity supplies to Ukraine on February 23 if oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline was not restored. A similar statement was issued by the Hungarian government.
Ukraine has proposed that the EU utilize the Odessa-Brody pipeline as an alternative for oil supplies to the EU, given the damage to the Druzhba pipeline.
On February 27, Orbán announced the establishment of a joint investigative commission between Hungary and Slovakia to assess the condition of the Druzhba pipeline. Subsequently, on March 11, it was reported that a Hungarian delegation led by State Secretary Gábor Chepek had arrived in Ukraine to evaluate the pipeline’s status and discuss the restoration of oil transit to Hungary. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he was unaware of any such visit, as no arrangements had been made with Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has called for the EU to lift sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports and restore the Druzhba pipeline operations. His comments follow a recent Russian attack that disrupted oil supplies, prompting concerns about energy security in Slovakia and Hungary.