Slovakia announces proposal for technical solution to Ukraine for transit of Russian oil
Photo: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Getty Images)
Slovakia has offered Ukraine a “technical solution” to resume oil transit from Russia. The transit stopped due to Ukrainian sanctions against Lukoil, according to TASR.
According to the agency, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico held a phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal on Friday, July 26.
During the talks, he proposed a "technical solution" for resuming the transit of Russian oil, in which several countries, including Slovakia, would participate.
The Slovak government emphasized that resuming the transit of part of the Russian oil is extremely important for the Slovneft oil refinery, as alternative sources of oil are more expensive and may be technologically unsuitable.
They also noted that intensive negotiations at the highest political and professional levels will continue in the coming hours and days. However, the Slovak government did not disclose details of the proposed "technical solution".
Transit of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia
Recently, Ukraine halted the transit of oil from the Russian company Lukoil to Hungary and Slovakia.
Ukrainian sanctions against Lukoil were initially introduced in 2018. However, this year Kyiv decided to intensify them and banned oil transit.
In Hungary, it was stated that Ukraine's decision was unacceptable and incomprehensible.
It was also reported that Hungary might file a lawsuit due to the threat to the country's energy security following Ukraine's halt of Lukoil oil transit.
Meanwhile, Slovakia threatened Ukraine over the cessation of Russian oil transit. Bratislava claims it may apply "undefined reciprocal measures."
