Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country is ready to cooperate with Slovakia on alternative‑energy projects, provided they do not involve Russian supplies. He made the remarks after meeting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Transcarpathia, where the two leaders discussed energy issues.
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine will not supply oil or gas to Slovakia if it originates from Russia, citing the ongoing war. The Ukrainian military has recently struck the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian and Kazakh crude to Slovakia and Hungary. Both Slovakia and Hungary have accused Kyiv of threatening their energy security, while Zelensky offered “enough” alternative projects for cooperation.
Fico and Zelensky held a “very broad discussion” on energy, but the Slovak premier noted that their views are “diametrically different.” Nevertheless, Fico believes that Slovakia and Ukraine have “enormous” potential for energy collaboration.
The meeting follows accusations from Bratislava and Budapest that Kyiv is deliberately disrupting their energy imports with military strikes. Earlier, Fico met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, raising concerns about the Druzhba attacks. Putin suggested that Slovakia could cut off Ukraine’s energy supplies in response. Fico has also voiced opposition to arming Kyiv and to EU and NATO policies toward Russia, seeking to normalize bilateral relations between Slovakia and Moscow.
These developments highlight the complex energy dynamics in the region. Ukraine aims to maintain its position, while Slovakia and Hungary continue to 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 progress will depend on finding mutually acceptable options that exclude Russian resources.
Comments are closed for this story.