Attacks by the Ukrainian army on the Druzhba oil pipeline are not only detrimental to Slovakia’s national interests but also harmful to Ukraine itself. In a major political debate over the weekend, Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD) revealed that he had discussed the issue by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha on Sunday. The Druzhba pipeline, which carries oil from Russia to Slovakia, plays a crucial role in the Slovak energy supply.
Blanár emphasized that Slovnaft, the Slovak refinery processing Russian oil, is a significant supplier of diesel to Ukraine, covering approximately 10% of the country's monthly consumption. According to the Slovak Minister, Sybiha acknowledged this information and promised to convey it to the rest of the Ukrainian government.
Furthermore, Blanár pointed out that the European Union, in a statement following the European Council in January, defined the integrity of energy infrastructure as indivisible. It urged all third parties, including Ukraine and Russia, to respect it. If these obligations are not adhered to, the European Commission has pledged to take action. This is why, on Friday (22 August), the foreign ministers of Slovakia and Hungary sent a joint open letter to EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas and Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, urging immediate steps to ensure the security of energy supplies to EU member states.
Source: TASR
