The Ukrainian state energy operator, Ukrenergo, has announced the termination of its emergency assistance agreement with Slovakia’s electricity system operator, SEPS. The decision, communicated via a letter from SEPS, was made without any explanation regarding the reasons for the cancellation.
Ukrenergo stated that it has adhered to the terms of the agreement and has acted in accordance with European legal standards. The company emphasized that it has not violated any contractual obligations and has maintained a spirit of good neighborliness.
“The reasons for the cancellation of the agreement have not been explained by SEPS management. Ukrenergo has never breached any contractual terms with SEPS,” the company reported.
Despite the termination, Ukrenergo reassured that the decision would not adversely affect Ukraine’s energy system. The company noted that emergency assistance from Slovakia had been utilized infrequently and in limited quantities.
Ukrenergo also confirmed that Ukraine would continue to import electricity from Slovakia through commercial suppliers. This follows a previous announcement by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on February 23, stating that Slovakia had halted electricity supplies to Ukraine due to the latter’s cessation of oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline after a Russian attack on January 27.
On January 27, a Russian attack damaged critical infrastructure in Brody, Lviv region, leading to a fire and the cessation of operations at the facility linked to the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline had been suspended since January 27 due to the attack. He also noted that Hungary was preparing to file complaints regarding transit issues.
Sybiha criticized Hungary for not expressing any protest against Russia over the situation, highlighting perceived double standards in the response.
Both Hungary and Slovakia have announced a suspension of diesel exports to Ukraine until Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline are restored.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated that Kyiv had informed Budapest of the damage caused by the Russian attack on the Druzhba pipeline on January 27, asserting that accusations of delays in supplies were illogical.
The European Commission expressed a desire for Ukraine to resume operations on the Druzhba pipeline but acknowledged that the decision rests with Ukraine due to the risk of further Russian attacks.
On February 21, Prime Minister Fico reiterated that Slovakia would halt electricity supplies to Ukraine if oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline was not restored. Similar statements were issued by the Hungarian government.
Ukraine has proposed to the European Union the use of the Odessa-Brody pipeline as an alternative for oil supplies to the EU, in light of the damage to the Druzhba pipeline.
On March 11, reports emerged of a Hungarian delegation led by State Secretary Gábor Csepregi visiting Ukraine to assess the state of the Druzhba pipeline and the potential restoration of oil transit to Hungary. However, President Zelensky stated that he was unaware of any such visit, as no agreement had been made with the Hungarian government regarding the delegation’s arrival.
Ukrenergo has confirmed the termination of its emergency assistance agreement with Slovakia's SEPS, citing a lack of explanation from the Slovak side. The decision is not expected to impact Ukraine's energy system, as emergency assistance has been rarely utilized.