Bratislava demands verified guarantees for resuming crude oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline. The move could delay approval of the EU’s 20th sanctions package.
According to the agency TA3.
The Slovak side is ready to halt the EU’s approval of the 20th package of sanctions against Russia until guarantees are provided for the resumption of transit through the Druzhba pipeline and its return to stable operation.
Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said this on Thursday, April 16, underscoring Bratislava’s readiness to act in the interests of ensuring energy supply stability.
According to the minister, Slovakia will block the sanctions until the restart of the Druzhba pipeline is ensured. At the same time, he noted that the country does not oppose providing Ukraine with an EU loan of 90 billion euros, which Hungary had previously blocked.
Blanar also said that the government voiced this position before the Slovak Parliament’s Committee on European Affairs. He noted that there is a need for a clear, transparent, and verifiable statement on the restoration of the Druzhba pipeline’s operation.
The government had previously said it would support sanctions against Russia if they do not harm Slovakia’s interests.
Position on the 20th sanctions package and the restoration of the Druzhba
“If the Druzhba pipeline is not put into operation, and the question of approving the 20th package is on the table, we will not approve it. We have no other instruments except to compel Zelensky, together with the European Commission, to put Druzhba into operation”
– Juraj Blanar
The minister also stressed that the stance of Hungary’s new government signals a willingness to support providing the EU loan to Ukraine. At the same time, it was blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán after his party Fidesz suffered a defeat in the latest parliamentary elections.
In March, the prime minister and ally of the former head of the Hungarian government, Robert Fico, stated in connection with the mentioned loan that Slovakia is ready to take on the role of initiator if needed.
As reported, the transport of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline from Ukraine to Slovakia and Hungary was halted in January after damage caused during a Russian attack. After the interruption, the Slovak government declared a state of emergency in the oil sector.
Bratislava and Budapest have repeatedly accused Kyiv of delaying the resumption of crude oil transport for political reasons.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during a recent visit to Berlin, said that the pipeline would be back in operation by the end of April.
The oil supply situation and sanctions demonstrate the seriousness of regional energy dependence and the urgent need for transparent agreements between countries.
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