Slovakia has formally requested that the European Commission send inspectors to assess damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline, following a supply interruption that has disrupted crude deliveries to domestic refineries.
Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar stated that the halt in Russian oil flows through Ukraine, reportedly caused by damage to a pumping station, poses a serious challenge for Slovakia. He emphasized that the situation requires a swift and transparent resolution.
Slovakia has appealed to EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen to deploy an independent inspection team to verify whether the reported damage is genuinely preventing the restoration of supplies. The move reflects growing concern in Bratislava over repeated delays in resuming transit.
The Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian crude to Central Europe, was affected during the conflict in Ukraine, leading to a suspension of deliveries to Slovakia and Hungary in late January. Slovak pipeline operator Transpetrol has reportedly received multiple notifications from Ukrainian counterparts postponing the normalization of shipments. Most recently, it was informed that flows could resume on 25 February, although no explanation was given for earlier delays.
In response to the disruption, the Slovak Government declared a state of emergency in oil supply. It authorized Slovnaft, owned by MOL Group, to draw up to 250,000 tons of crude from strategic reserves to maintain refinery operations. At the same time, Slovnaft suspended diesel exports to Ukraine, redirecting refined products to the domestic market.
Slovakia has also emphasized its role as an energy supplier to Ukraine. According to Minister Blanar, Slovnaft covers roughly 15% of Ukraine’s oil product demand, while Slovakia provides gas and electricity, particularly during emergency outages caused by Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Prime Minister Robert Fico signaled further countermeasures, stating that Slovakia would suspend emergency electricity deliveries to Ukraine until oil transit via Druzhba is restored. He noted that attempts to clarify the timeline with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had not produced immediate results.
Slovak authorities have made clear that these measures will be lifted once oil transit resumes. If the disruption continues, additional steps may follow, underscoring the mounting tension over energy security in the region.
