Ukraine wants to solve the oil transit with Slovakia in accordance with the EU association agreement

Ukraine is ready to resolve oil transit issues with Slovakia in accordance with the European Union (EU) Association Agreement, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Energy Roman Andarak said on Tuesday. According to him, Kyiv guarantees the transit of oil for companies that are not subject to sanctions. TASR informs based on a Reuters report.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) announced on Monday (July 29) that Slovnaft will stop supplying diesel to Ukraine if Kyiv does not resume the transit of oil from Russian Lukoil through its territory. At the end of June, Ukraine imposed sanctions on Lukoil, which is one of the largest Russian oil companies. As part of these sanctions, it banned any activities of Lukoil on its territory and stopped the transit of its oil to Slovak and Hungarian refineries.

Andarak said on Tuesday that Ukraine is "ready to solve possible problematic issues" when Slovakia activates the relevant mechanism in the association agreement with the EU. "It has not done so to date," Andarak said in written comments to Reuters, adding that Kyiv "guarantees uninterrupted oil transit" for all companies not subject to Western and Ukrainian sanctions.

Slovakia, along with Hungary, has opposed military aid from Western allies to Ukraine, which is fighting a Russian invasion, and has been stepping up its pressure since Kyiv imposed sanctions on Lukoil. Oil supplies through Ukraine from other Russian suppliers have not been interrupted, and Ukraine remains a reliable transit service partner for the EU, Andarak said. "The Ukrainian side did not stop the transit, it continues, all reservations are fulfilled," he said.

The total share of Slovakia and Hungary in diesel supplies to Ukraine is approximately 10%, and according to Ukrainian analysts, it could be covered from other sources.

(TASR)