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Slovakia Threatens Kyiv with Retaliation over Druzhba Pipeline

Published February 18, 2026, 14:08
Slovakia Threatens Kyiv with Retaliation over Druzhba Pipeline

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico declared a state of emergency for oil supplies due to the interruption of Russian deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline and threatened Ukraine with retaliation if the situation persists. He asserts that Ukraine is not restoring deliveries to blackmail Hungary, which opposes Ukraine's EU membership. Slovakia will release 250,000 tons from its emergency reserves. Fico accuses Ukraine of preventing the resumption of oil deliveries, even though repairs are complete, and threatens to terminate cooperation on electricity supply to Ukraine. The disruption began after a Russian attack on January 27th, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hungary has also accused Ukraine of blackmail, attempting to force Hungary to support Ukraine's EU membership. Both countries, Slovakia and Hungary, have asked Croatia to allow the transport of Russian oil via the Adria pipeline, a solution that faces practical challenges (capacity and cost). The European Commission stated it is monitoring the situation and is ready to convene a meeting of the oil emergency coordination team. However, it emphasizes that there are no short-term risks to the supply of Hungary and Slovakia, which have reserves sufficient for 90 days.