Thursday, 5 March 2026
Ukraine will not restart oil transit to Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline in the coming days, the Slovak Ministry of Economy said on Tuesday. The resumption had previously been expected following several delays, based on information provided by the Ukrainian side.
In response to the continued disruption, the Slovak government decided to recommend that the national transmission system operator, SEPS, terminate its agreement with Ukraine’s grid operator Ukrenerho on emergency electricity supplies. Prime Minister Robert Fico had already announced last week that Slovakia would suspend this assistance and has indicated that further measures may follow.
Slovakia and Hungary have recently criticised Ukraine for delays in restoring oil flows through the pipeline. According to Ukrainian authorities, the Druzhba pipeline was damaged at the end of January during a Russian drone attack targeting energy infrastructure in western Ukraine. Kyiv has stated that repair works are under way.
The Slovak Ministry of Economy said Ukraine had committed to providing updated information regarding the status of oil transport by Friday.
Slovakia and Hungary remain among the European Union countries with the highest dependence on Russian crude supplies. Following the disruption of deliveries via Druzhba, the Slovak government declared a state of oil emergency. Slovnaft, the Bratislava-based refinery owned by Hungary’s MOL Group, released part of the country’s strategic reserves and began securing alternative supply routes.
SEPS Chairman Martin Magáth confirmed that the operator would terminate the emergency electricity supply contract with Ukrenerho, in line with the government’s recommendation. He noted that the contract had last been used in January. Electricity transit through Slovakia to Ukraine under other commercial agreements continues. Ukraine has increased electricity imports in recent months after repeated Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.
Prime Minister Fico has questioned the extent of the reported pipeline damage and has called for discussions at the European Union level. He has stated his intention to seek talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding the issue.
According to media reports, the EU ambassador to Kyiv has not been granted permission to inspect the damaged section of the pipeline. Fico has also indicated that he is considering a direct meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has likewise criticised Ukraine over the transit disruption. In a letter to the European Commission, he alleged that the delay in restarting Druzhba was politically motivated. Hungary is currently blocking a proposed €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine, and Fico has not ruled out the possibility of Slovakia taking a similar position.
The situation remains unresolved as diplomatic discussions continue.
Source: CTK
