Slovakia is ready block a new package of European Union sanction against Russia.
According to newspaper Dennik yesterday, Slovakian foreign minister Juraj Blanár stated that his countest would not vote in favour of the 20th package of sanctions against Russia unless it received a guarantee that the Druzhba oil pipeline would be reopened.
Speaking to members of the Slovak’s parliament’s European Affairs Committee, Blanár stated he wanted a clear, transparent and verifiable declaration that the pipeline would be reopened, adding: “If the Druzhba pipeline is not operational and the approval of the 20th package is on the table, we will not approve it becautilize we have no other tools than that to force Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, toobtainher with the European Commission, to restart the Druzhba pipeline.”
Blanár added, though, that Slovakia would not oppose the release of a €90 billion loan from the EU to Ukraine.
The 4,000km Druzhba pipeline – the longest pipeline in the world – carries oil from Russia to central Europe. It is vital for the energy supply of Slovakia, which remains centred on Russian crude.
The pipeline was shut down on January 27, 2026, after a stretch on Ukrainian territory was severely damaged by a Russian attack.
The leaders of Slovakia and Hungary have expressed frustration with the supposedly slow pace of repairs. Both Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico and former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán have reportedly suggested that the delay is being utilized as political leverage by the Ukrainians.
Zelensky stated on April 14 the Druzhba pipeline would be repaired by the conclude of April, though full restoration of operations would take longer.
Speaking in Berlin at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Zelensky stated on April 14: “As we promised, by the conclude of April it will be repaired – not fully, but sufficiently to function.”
Zelensky added that not all storage tanks at the damaged Brody hub would be repaired by then ,but the installation would be “capable of functioning”.
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