Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar stated on April 16 that his country will block the adoption of the 20th package of EU anti-Russian sanctions until receiving guarantees for the resumption of the Druzhba oil pipeline.
Blanar also confirmed that Slovakia would not object to an EU loan of €90 billion to Ukraine, which has been blocked by Hungary.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico previously declared on March 28 that Slovakia would not support the 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia if the European Commission maintained its position favoring Ukraine on the issue of the blocked Druzhba pipeline. Fico emphasized that the pipeline’s operation is critical for Central Europe, and without it, high fuel prices could become a widespread issue.
European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jorgensen announced on March 16 that the EU aims to prohibit Slovakia and Hungary from importing Russian oil. In response, Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Szijjarto revealed plans for joint construction of a new pipeline between the two countries, designed to transport 1.5 million tons of petroleum products annually through a 127 km trench.
