GEOPOLITICS | Slovak Prime Minister Warns of Energy Supply Halt to Ukraine

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has issued a warning that if Ukraine does not resume oil deliveries to Slovakia by Monday, he will instruct Slovak companies to cease providing emergency electricity to Ukraine. According to RTHK, Fico expressed his concerns over the weekend on social media, stating that Slovakia has been adversely affected by Ukraine's actions, including the cessation of natural gas supplies, which has resulted in an annual loss of 500 million euros for Slovakia. The recent halt in oil deliveries has further exacerbated the situation, causing additional losses and difficulties for the country. Historically, Russia has transported crude oil to Central and Eastern Europe via the 'Friendship' pipeline, with the southern route passing through Ukraine to reach the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. However, since September 27, the delivery of Russian oil through the Ukrainian section of the pipeline has been suspended, leading to dissatisfaction in Hungary and Slovakia, who attribute the responsibility to Ukraine. Fico has accused Ukraine of delaying the pipeline's reopening as a means to pressure Hungary into abandoning its opposition to Ukraine's accession to the European Union.