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.

Fico also said he will meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Paris early next week to explain Slovakia’s position on restoring oil transport.

According to Fico, information and satellite imagery available to Slovakia indicate that the pipeline has not suffered serious damage. Therefore, if Ukraine continues to delay inspections, Slovakia would have grounds to accuse Kyiv of deliberately blocking oil supplies to the country.

The Slovak prime minister reiterated that Slovakia is prepared to join Hungary in blocking the EU loan to Ukraine if the Druzhba pipeline is not restored, adding that blocking the loan is a legitimate tool to achieve the goal of resuming oil supplies.

Earlier, at the end of February 2026, Hungary vetoed the European Union’s proposal for a €90 billion emergency loan to Ukraine and also blocked the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia, accusing Kyiv of intentionally disrupting oil supplies to the country. Hungary and Slovakia have also suspended diesel exports to Ukraine in an effort to pressure Kyiv to restore oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline.

President Zelensky rejected the accusations from Hungary and Slovakia, arguing that satellite images do not fully reflect the actual damage to the pipeline. He also invited Prime Minister Fico to visit Ukraine to discuss the issue directly.

During his upcoming meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on March 10, Fico is expected to continue pressing the EU to push Ukraine to allow experts to inspect the condition of the Druzhba pipeline and to resume its operation as soon as possible.