On March 8, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that Slovakia is ready to follow Hungary in blocking the European Union’s €90 billion loan for Ukraine if the Druzhba oil pipeline is not restored.
Prime Minister Fico emphasized that oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline are crucial for Slovakia. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appears unwilling to resume the supply, leading to significant increases in commodity prices and transportation costs. Currently, the Slovnaft refinery has been forced to draw oil from national reserves to maintain the country’s energy security.