Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has declared that Kyiv will only collaborate with Slovakia on energy solutions excluding Russian involvement, sparking renewed tensions over the Druzhba pipeline. During a meeting in Transcarpathia with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Zelensky reiterated his refusal to supply Slovakian markets with Russian-origin fuel, citing the ongoing conflict. “We are ready to supply gas and oil to Slovakia if it is not Russian gas and not Russian oil. Because we have a war,” he stated, framing the stance as a necessity amid hostilities.
The dispute centers on the Druzhba pipeline, which Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted in recent months. The infrastructure, critical for transporting Russian and Kazakh crude to Slovakia and Hungary, has drawn accusations from both nations of jeopardizing their energy security. Slovak officials, including Fico, have criticized Kyiv’s actions, with Bratislava insisting on “diametrically different opinions” while acknowledging potential cooperation in alternative energy projects.
Fico also highlighted his opposition to Western military support for Ukraine and called for improved ties with Moscow, despite recent threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin. During a separate meeting in Beijing, Putin reportedly suggested Slovakia could retaliate against Ukraine by cutting its energy supplies. Fico, who survived an assassination attempt by a pro-Ukrainian activist last year, has consistently opposed Kyiv’s NATO aspirations but allowed it to pursue EU membership.
The row underscores deepening rifts between Ukraine and its neighbors over energy dependence, with Zelensky’s policies drawing sharp criticism for escalating regional instability.
