In a recent phone call, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the contentious issues surrounding the operational status of the Druzhba oil pipeline. Fico maintains that the pipeline is functional and could transport oil, while Zelensky insists that it is still in need of repairs due to damage from Russian attacks. The lack of agreement following their discussion underscores ongoing tensions between the two leaders regarding the pipeline's utilization and the broader implications of the conflict.

President Zelensky publicly stated during the call that he prefers to resolve these disputes face-to-face rather than over the phone, inviting Fico to visit Ukraine. This invitation highlights the complex dynamic in their relationship, as Fico has yet to visit the capital, Kyiv, since the onset of the war, despite having traveled to other parts of Ukraine. The ongoing issues surrounding the pipeline are not only significant for energy supply but also serve as a microcosm of the larger geopolitical rifts influenced by the war in Ukraine and Slovakia's position.

Fico's previous remarks, made shortly before the call, further illustrate the contentious nature of their dialogue, as he accused Ukrainian authorities of deliberately neglecting the Druzhba's operational capability. The continued disagreement over the pipeline, coupled with Zelensky's invitation to Fico, suggests that while there is a willingness to communicate, significant obstacles remain to achieving a mutual understanding between Slovakia and Ukraine amidst the backdrop of ongoing hostilities in the region.