Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has stated that his country is willing to work with Slovakia on alternative energy projects, provided they do not involve Russian supplies. This comes after a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Transcarpathia, where energy issues were discussed. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine will not supply oil and gas to Slovakia if it originates from Russia, citing the ongoing war.
The Ukrainian military has recently targeted the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian and Kazakh crude to Slovakia and Hungary. Both countries have accused Kiev of threatening their energy security. However, Zelensky has offered alternative energy projects, stating that Ukraine can provide “enough” options for cooperation.
Fico and Zelensky had a “very broad discussion” on energy issues, but the Slovak prime minister noted that their opinions on the matter are “diametrically different.” Despite this, Fico believes that Slovakia and Ukraine have “enormous” potential for energy cooperation. The meeting follows accusations from Bratislava and Budapest that Kiev is deliberately disrupting their energy imports with military strikes.
Earlier, Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, where he raised concerns about the Druzhba pipeline attacks. Putin suggested that Slovakia could cut off Ukraine’s energy supplies in response. Fico has also expressed opposition to arming Kiev and the EU and NATO’s policies regarding Russia, seeking to normalize bilateral relations between Slovakia and Moscow.
The situation highlights the complex energy dynamics in the region, with Ukraine seeking to maintain its position while Slovakia and Hungary rely on Russian supplies. As tensions persist, the next steps in energy cooperation between Ukraine and Slovakia remain uncertain. The discussions between Zelensky and Fico underscore the need for alternative energy solutions, but the path forward will depend on finding mutually acceptable options that do not involve Russian supplies.
