Zelenskyy draws red lines for Fico in showdown over Druzhba oil pipeline
Robert Fico (photo: Getty Images)
Ukraine is ready to discuss all issues regarding the Druzhba oil pipeline with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Kyiv has proposed specific dates for the visit when the Slovak official can come to our country, according to the Telegram channel of the Office of the President.
Read also: Like addicts: Ukrainian MFA responds to Orbán and Fico’s criticism over Russian oil
“Ukraine has proposed specific dates to Robert Fico for a visit to Ukraine — March 6 or March 9 — to discuss all existing issues,” the statement says.
The Office of the President also emphasized that they are ready for talks, as agreed during the phone conversation between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Robert Fico.
What preceded this
On February 12, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Russia had attacked the Druzhba oil pipeline. After that, oil transit to Slovakia and Hungary was suspended.
At the same time, Budapest and Bratislava began blaming Ukraine for everything, claiming that Kyiv was allegedly unwilling to resume supplies for political reasons.
In response, Slovakia and later Hungary threatened to halt electricity supplies to Ukraine. These threats came amid an extremely difficult energy situation in Ukraine due to Russian attacks.
On February 27, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán spoke with Robert Fico. Following their conversation, they expressed disagreement with claims that the operation of the Druzhba pipeline could not be restored due to technical problems.
For this reason, Hungary and Slovakia want to establish an investigative commission and demand that the President of Ukraine grant them access to the facility.
