Electricity for Ukraine / If Kyiv does not restore the flow of Russian oil, Fico will stop electricity exports. He blames Zelensky for blackmailing.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatens to halt electricity exports to Ukraine if oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline are not restored by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In a recent announcement on social media, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that he will ask Slovak companies to stop emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine if President Volodymyr Zelensky fails to restore the flow of oil through the Druzhba pipeline by Monday. This statement underlines the tension between Slovakia and Ukraine amid ongoing energy supply challenges. Fico highlighted the critical nature of these supplies, noting that emergency electricity deliveries were needed twice as much in January 2026 compared to the entire year of 2025 to stabilize Ukraine's energy grid.
Fico further criticized Zelensky, accusing him of a malicious attitude towards Slovakia due to the country's stance on the war in Ukraine. He claimed that Zelensky's actions, including stopping gas flows to Slovakia, have resulted in considerable financial damages estimated at 500 million euros annually. This rhetoric signifies a turning point in the relationship between the two countries, reflecting broader geopolitical dynamics shaped by the war in Ukraine and ongoing energy dependency issues.
The implications of Fico's threat to stop electricity exports extend beyond bilateral relations and touch upon regional stability. As energy shortages continue to plague Ukraine amid the war, Slovakia's role as a key supplier becomes increasingly significant. Any reduction in electricity supply from Slovakia could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, illustrating the complex interdependence of energy resources amidst geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe.