Fico threatens to block Ukraine’s diesel supplies
30 July 2024 00:39
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has said that if Ukraine does not resume transporting Russian oil from Lukoil through its territory, the Slovnaft plant will stop supplying Kyiv with diesel. Fico said this in his Facebook post, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
Fico said that he had discussed the issue with Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, Secretary of State Marek Estok and Ukrainian Ambassador Myroslav Kastran.
“If the transit of Russian oil through Ukraine is not resumed in the near future, Slovnaft will not continue to supply diesel fuel to Ukraine, which covers a tenth of Ukrainian consumption,” he said.
The Slovak prime minister noted that the resumption of Russian oil supplies is linked to a “technical solution”, but it should involve several countries.
At the meeting with the diplomat, Fico reiterated his view that Ukraine’s “senseless” sanctions against Russian oil would only harm Ukraine, Slovakia and Hungary, while Russia would be “practically unaffected”.
“For us, Slovakia and the interests of its people come first,” Fico said.
He added that the problems with oil transit will not change Slovakia’s position on the war in Ukraine, which, according to him, must be ended by an immediate ceasefire.
In the end, the Slovak prime minister said that the war would end one day.
“The government I lead rejects the policy of a new iron curtain between Russia and the European Union. If the European Union wants to get out from under the total influence of the United States, it will have to consider forms of cooperation with the Russian Federation, which should also include cooperation in the field of strategic raw materials,” Fico added.
on 27 July, Fico spoke by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal. During the conversation, he shared with him a “technical solution” to the issue of a ban on the transit of Russian Lukoil’s oil through Ukrainian territory.
The European Commission has confirmed that it has received an appeal from the foreign ministers of Hungary and Slovakia to stop the transit of Lukoil’s oil through Ukraine.
The European Commission is currently studying the situation, but does not see any danger to Europe.
“Lukoil is one of several Russian companies that supply oil to Hungary through the southern part of the Druzhba pipeline in Ukraine.
Currently, Russian supplies account for two-thirds of all crude oil available to Hungary’s Mol Nyrt. However, the company hopes to replace them completely by 2025.
Hungary has stepped up energy ties with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, signing several agreements to increase natural gas supplies.
As reported, the UK and EU countries are planning to take new measures against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet“, which it uses to transport oil to circumvent international sanctions.
