Slovak PM Claims Zelensky Won’t Resume Druzhba Pipeline Oil Flow
Fico criticized the European Union for failing to apply sufficient pressure on Kyiv to reopen the pipeline, despite having multiple opportunities to do so, as stated by reports.
Ukraine halted the Soviet-era pipeline in late January, citing damage from a Russian drone strike.
Moscow, however, has denied any involvement, while both Bratislava and Budapest rejected Kyiv’s explanation, viewing the shutdown as a tactic of Ukrainian leverage.
In a video message on Sunday, Fico described a conversation he had with Zelensky as “very strange.” He said: “Zelensky will never put oil through the Druzhba pipeline, never.”
Fico suggested the Ukrainian leader’s stance was retaliatory, explaining: “It looks as if he wants to punish us. Because you have peaceful positions, you have different opinions than us, that you do not support war loans and that you are not for war, then you will not have gas and you will not have oil.”
In additional comments made on Saturday, Fico challenged the EU over its inability to send a fact-finding team to assess the pipeline. “A legitimate question must arise as to whose interests are more important for [the EU]— those of Ukraine or those of EU member states,” he said.
He also highlighted Brussels’ financial influence over Kyiv, noting that it appears unwilling to use this leverage against Zelensky. Fico stated: “Dear Vladimir, do you want European money?.. I’m afraid that none of the key players in the EU will ever say this sentence to President Zelensky. This style of communication is only used towards EU member states that allow themselves to have sovereign opinions.”
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