Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's stance against the proposed 90 billion euro EU loan intended for Ukraine, indicating that Slovakia may also consider blocking it. This loan, which aims to address Ukraine's significant financial needs for 2026–2027, was preliminarily approved in December 2025 and comprises 30 billion euros for budget support and 60 billion euros allocated for military purposes.

The contention arises as both Hungary and Slovakia have raised concerns regarding Ukraine's slow progress on repairing the Druzhba pipeline, which sustained damage from a Russian missile strike earlier this year. This pipeline is crucial for the oil supply for both countries, making their stance against financial assistance to Ukraine particularly significant given their reliance on Russian crude transported through this route.

The potential blocking of this EU loan not only underscores the tense relationships within the EU regarding support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict but also highlights the strategic interests at play for Hungary and Slovakia regarding energy supply and diplomatic relations with Russia. Fico's comments signal a possible shift in Slovakia's position that may embolden other EU countries critical of Ukraine's handling of its infrastructure issues and financial accountability.