Slovakia Cuts Power to Ukraine Amid Oil Transit Dispute
Bratislava, Slovakia – Slovakia has halted emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine, escalating a dispute over the transit of Russian oil, Prime Minister Robert Fico announced Monday. The move comes after an ultimatum issued to Kyiv to restore oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline expired, further straining relations between the two countries.
Fico characterized Ukraine’s actions as a “purely political decision aimed at blackmailing Slovakia,” asserting that reciprocity dictates Bratislava’s response. He warned of “further reciprocal steps” should oil supplies not be resumed.
The Druzhba pipeline, a key link connecting Russia to Slovakia and Hungary, has been out of service since late January. Ukraine claims damage from Russian strikes, a claim Moscow denies. Both Slovakia and Hungary accuse Kyiv of deliberately disrupting supplies for political leverage.
The halt in electricity supply is particularly impactful for Ukraine, which has become increasingly reliant on imports to stabilize its power grid following repeated Russian strikes on its infrastructure. According to Fico, Ukraine received twice as much electricity from Slovakia in January 2026 as it did throughout all of 2025.
The dispute unfolded alongside Hungary’s veto of a €90 billion ($106 billion) EU emergency loan for Ukraine and new sanctions against Russia. Budapest explicitly linked its veto to the Druzhba pipeline issue, accusing Ukraine of imposing an “oil blockade” and engaging in “blackmail.”
Slovakia and Hungary last week also announced the suspension of diesel exports to Ukraine until the Druzhba pipeline is operational. Hungary had previously considered cutting emergency electricity supplies as well.
The situation highlights growing tensions within Europe regarding support for Ukraine and the reliance on Russian energy infrastructure, even as the conflict continues.
