Slovakia Halts Electricity Exports to Ukraine Over Oil Transit Dispute

Slovakia has stopped supplying electricity to Ukraine and will not provide assistance in stabilizing Ukraine's energy grid, according to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. This action is a direct response to Ukraine not resuming Russian oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline.

Key points

• The halt follows Fico's threat on Saturday to cut off emergency power supplies if Kyiv did not restore Russian oil deliveries by Monday.
• Slovakia's only oil refinery, Slovnaft, has not received crude oil since the end of January due to damage to the Druzhba pipeline.
• Ukrainian MFA called the conditions set by Slovakia and Hungary provocative and irresponsible, urging them to issue ultimatums to the Kremlin instead of Kyiv.
• In January, emergency electricity deliveries from Slovakia and Hungary accounted for 68% of Ukraine's imported power, according to ExPro.

Why it matters

This escalation highlights the growing tension between Ukraine and its neighbors over energy supply disruptions caused by the damaged Druzhba pipeline, impacting Ukraine's energy stability amid Russian attacks.