Fico threatens to leave Ukraine without electricity starting Monday
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has threatened to halt emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine amid rising tensions regarding oil supplies from Russia.
Amid a severe energy crisis in Ukraine, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has made a provocative statement threatening to stop emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine starting Monday. This threat comes as a response to escalating tensions surrounding the transportation of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline. Fico's remarks underline the complex relationship between Slovakia and Ukraine, especially concerning energy dependency on Russian oil.
Fico accuses the Ukrainian government of intentionally delaying the repair and resumption of oil transport via the Druzhba pipeline, which is critical for delivering Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, two EU countries still reliant on Russian crude. The situation is exacerbated by ongoing Russian attacks that have damaged Ukraine's energy infrastructure, further complicating the recovery efforts. Fico's comments indicate a deteriorating diplomatic relationship as Ukraine struggles to manage its energy demands amid the ongoing war.
The Slovak Prime Minister’s ultimatum raises significant concerns about humanitarian impacts as Ukraine faces the potential loss of critical electricity supplies during winter. This development highlights the fragile balance in Central European energy politics, where dependency on Russian resources poses a strategic dilemma for neighboring countries. Fico's threat points to the regional ramifications of energy policies and calls into question Slovakia's commitment to supporting Ukraine during its ongoing crisis.