Slovakia halts emergency power supplies to Ukraine over Russian oil dispute
Al Jazeera
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Slovakia has suspended emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine in a move linked to an ongoing dispute over the Russian oil transit through the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that his country will halt power assistance unless Ukraine reopens the pipeline for Russian oil deliveries, which have been halted since January due to what Ukraine claims were Russian drone strikes on infrastructure. Fico emphasized that this decision was a reciprocal measure in response to what he described as "purely political" actions by Kyiv.
The Druzhba pipeline, a key conduit for Russian oil to Central Europe, has been a focal point of tension between Slovakia and Ukraine. Slovakia and Hungary, both reliant on Russian oil despite EU sanctions, have demanded that Kyiv resume deliveries. The EU's 2022 ban on most Russian oil imports exempted the pipeline to allow landlocked countries time to secure alternative supplies. However, negotiations over its reopening have stalled, with Ukraine accusing Russia of sabotage and Slovakia and Hungary blaming Kyiv for delays in repairs.
Fico also hinted at potential consequences for Ukraine's EU membership, suggesting that Slovakia might reconsider its supportive stance if the oil transit issue remains unresolved. This comes amid broader European divisions over energy policy and relations with Russia. Hungary, another Russian-friendly EU member, has tied its support for a $90 billion EU loan to Ukraine to the reopening of the pipeline, further complicating the diplomatic landscape.
The situation underscores the delicate balance between energy dependencies and political alignments in Europe. Slovakia's decision to withhold electricity aid highlights the growing tensions over how to manage energy supplies amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As the dispute continues, it raises questions about the feasibility of maintaining unity
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/23/2026