Slovakia supports €90B Ukraine aid but pauses on new Russia sanctions
Photo: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Getty Images)
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that Slovakia will not oppose unlocking €90 billion in funding for Ukraine, but will support the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia only after oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline is restored, according to The Guardian.
Fico said his government is closely monitoring how “two processes go hand in hand”: the unblocking of €90 billion in funding for Ukraine and the restoration of the Druzhba pipeline.
“I assume this loan could be unblocked provided that all steps are taken to open the Druzhba pipeline,” the Slovak prime minister said.
According to him, it is clear that pressure from Hungary and Slovakia to freeze the funds prompted Ukraine to act faster on pipeline repairs.
At the same time, Fico said the situation has “undermined trust between Bratislava and Kyiv.” He fears Ukraine could soon look for ways to halt oil supplies again.
The prime minister hinted that Slovakia would not object to unlocking the funds today but would delay approval of further EU sanctions against Russia until oil actually starts flowing.
“I don’t know how the EU will act if the loan is unblocked, and in a few days, the flow of oil from the Druzhba pipeline stops again. What we will do then, I really don’t know, but we must prepared for such an alternative,” he added.
Druzhba repairs
As a reminder, the Druzhba pipeline has become a tool of pressure on Kyiv. Hungary blocked the EU’s €90 billion loan for Ukraine and a new sanctions package against Russia.
According to Hungarian authorities, unblocking the loan and sanctions is only possible after oil supplies are restored.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico supported Hungary’s position and also threatened to block future loans to Ukraine — despite the fact that Russia is responsible for the damage to Druzhba.
In addition, Fico called on the EU to lift sanctions on Russian oil and gas and proposed steps to restore supplies via the Druzhba pipeline.
On April 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the section of the pipeline damaged by Russian shelling had been repaired and was ready to resume operations.
Today, Ukrtransnafta confirmed the completion of repairs on the Ukrainian section of Druzhba and the cancellation of force majeure.
The company also announced its readiness to resume crude oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia.
It was also reported today that Ukraine has resumed pumping oil through Druzhba, with supplies to Slovakia expected to restart as early as April 23.
