Stopping emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine is like a dagger to the back, says energy analyst Potočár
Energy analyst Radovan Potočár criticizes Slovakia's decision to halt emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine, citing significant political and practical implications.
Radovan Potočár, an energy analyst and editor of Energie-portal.sk, expresses strong condemnation of Slovakia's recent decision to stop emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine, calling it a symbolic and political act with dire practical consequences. According to Potočár, this move will further weaken Ukraine's ability to stabilize its energy system, which is already strained due to ongoing conflict and infrastructural damage. He emphasizes that while Slovakia has opted for this course of action, neighboring countries are continuing to support Ukraine in its energy needs.
This decision was reportedly triggered by Prime Minister Robert Fico's frustration over the non-flow of Russian oil through Ukraine to Slovakia, following damages to the Druzhba pipeline caused by Russian drone strikes. Fico believes that the pipeline repairs have been completed and accuses Ukraine of deliberately withholding oil supplies from Slovakia. Potočár argues that energy politics in the region are deeply intertwined with the broader geopolitical conflicts, and such cutbacks could have severe implications for Ukraine's resilience in a time of crisis.
Overall, Potočár's insights shed light on the complexities of energy dependency and the impact of political decisions on international relations, especially in the context of Ukraine's ongoing energy challenges exacerbated by the war. His remarks highlight the need for regional cooperation in energy supply to aid Ukraine during these critical times.