Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, announced on February 23 that his country would discontinue electricity exports to Ukraine if oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline does not resume. This pipeline is crucial for transporting Russian crude oil through Ukraine to other European countries, including Slovakia and Hungary. The suspension of the pipeline, which has been in place since a Russian drone strike in late January, has heightened tensions between Slovakia and Ukraine, with accusations of political maneuvering surfacing from both sides.

Ukrainian officials responded to Fico's ultimatum by stating that Ukraine would still be able to import emergency electricity from Slovakia, regardless of the current political standoff. This claim illustrates the resilience of Ukrainian infrastructure amidst challenges posed by external pressures. The situation is aggravated by Slovakia and Hungary's accusations that Ukraine is deliberately withholding oil transit for political leverage, an assertion that Kyiv firmly denies.

As the standoff intensifies, Fico’s statement that assistance to stabilize Ukraine’s energy grid would not be forthcoming further complicates the dynamics of energy cooperation in the region. Both parties face significant implications, as any disruption in power could have broader repercussions for the stability of Ukraine's energy network, particularly given its ongoing struggles amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.