Fico threatens to block EU aid package for Ukraine over Druzhba pipeline situation

The Prime Minister of Slovakia has announced his readiness to veto the allocation of a EUR 90 billion loan from the European Union to Ukraine. The politician announced this in his video address on the eve of a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Paris.

Robert Fico calls the main condition for unblocking the funds the admission of inspectors to inspect the damaged section of the Druzhba pipeline to restore stable supplies of raw materials.

"The most important message will be that Slovakia is ready to take over the baton from Hungary if necessary. Blocking this huge military gift to Ukraine is a legitimate tool for restoring oil supplies," the Slovak Prime Minister stressed.

Amid the energy conflict, Slovakia has already resorted to restrictions and suspended emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine. Robert Fico plans to put forward official demands for access to oil infrastructure for experts as early as March 10 during negotiations with the EU leadership. Previously, the Hungarian side also expressed claims regarding the operation of the pipeline and blocked Brussels' financial initiatives in support of Kyiv.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on March 5, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that he would not make any compromises with Ukraine and would end the Ukrainian blockade of the Druzhba oil pipeline by force.

On March 3, Orban appealed to the European Commission with a demand to influence Ukraine to resume oil transit, which was stopped at the end of January due to damage to the infrastructure as a result of russian shelling.