On March 28, TASS news agency reported that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico sent a tough message about the possibility of blockading new sanctions of the European Union (EU) against Russia. The direct reason for this move is that Ukraine has not yet resumed oil pumping through the Druzhba artery pipeline.
In a video posted on social networks, Mr. Fico declared that if the European Commission continues to favor Ukraine more than Slovakia, they may forget Bratislava's support for the 20th sanction package against Moscow.
In addition, Mr. Fico also threatened to withdraw his goodwill to support Kiev in the process of quickly joining the EU.
Tensions between the parties originated from Ukraine announcing that the Druzhba pipeline was damaged after an airstrike but resolutely not allowing European experts to access the scene to assess damage.
Recognizing this situation, Prime Minister Fico said that his government has noted statements from Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky showing a lack of enthusiasm in restoring Russian oil transit. Mr. Fico considered this a public hostility and second economic damage by the Ukrainian leader to Slovakia, continuing the previous decision to stop gas transit.
The senior leader of Slovakia also expressed deep disappointment that the European Commission has not taken any practical action to urge Kiev authorities to definitively resolve this infrastructure incident.
According to Mr. Fico's analysis, if oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline were maintained stably, Slovakia and the entire Central European region would not have faced the serious fuel shortage situation as it is now. The situation is getting worse as prices are escalating day by day due to the impact of the crisis in the Middle East.
The Slovak Prime Minister criticized the European Commission as seemingly expecting Bratislava to accept letting domestic gasoline and diesel prices exceed the 2.2 USD per liter mark. He did not hesitate to expose the political calculations behind this indifference.
Closing the message, Prime Minister Fico reaffirmed that the current cabinet will be steadfast in its autonomy policy and do everything possible to maximize Slovakia's economy as well as national interests on the international stage.
