The article highlights the fallout from Russia's attack on the Druzhba oil pipeline, which has halted the transit of Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary. This has raised concerns about the reliability of Russia as a supplier during a time when Slovak officials, including the government and the Slovnaft refinery, have expressed their need for Russian oil, fearing the European Union's pressure to reduce dependence. The attack, which occurred nearly three weeks prior, has drawn criticism for damaging crucial infrastructure without direct military confrontation in the affected area.

Slovakia's fourth government under Robert Fico has remained reticent about openly criticizing Russia, possibly due to political and economic considerations. Slovnaft, which is owned by Hungary’s MOL group, has also refrained from commenting on the issue, redirecting media inquiries to the Ministry of Economy. This silence raises questions about the governance and strategic choices of the current administration and the impact of such dependence on external suppliers on national security and energy strategy.

Despite these tensions, the immediate domestic supply of oil is not critically endangered, as repairs to the damaged pipeline are expected to resume deliveries within the week. Additionally, Slovakia maintains emergency oil reserves sufficient for 90 days, a buffer that could stabilize supply amidst ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. However, this incident underscores the need for Slovakia to reassess its energy dependencies, especially in light of the fragile regional security landscape.