EU must not prioritize Ukraine's interests over member states: Slovakian premier

BRUSSELS

​​​​​​​Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on Monday stressed that the European Union must not prioritize Ukraine’s interests over those of member states such as Slovakia and Hungary, ahead of this week’s European Council summit.

In a post on the US social media platform X, Fico said that in a nearly 45‑minute telephone conversation with European Council President Antonio Costa, they discussed the issue of restoring the operation of the Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine.

Fico reiterated his government's opposition to Ukraine's unilateral decision to halt the transit of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline across Ukrainian territory, arguing the move has harmed Slovakia and Hungary by cutting critical energy supplies.

He said the EU should pressure Kyiv to restore oil flows that Slovakia is entitled to receive under existing arrangements until 2027.

"I emphasized to the President of the European Council that EU institutions cannot prioritize the interests of a non-EU country, Ukraine, over those of EU member states," he said.

Fico also voiced disappointment with the European Commission for failing to present concrete measures to tackle soaring electricity prices, despite repeated requests from EU prime ministers and heads of state.

Ukraine halted deliveries of energy resources via the Druzhba pipeline after a Jan. 27 incident, which Kyiv has blamed on Russia.

Hungary and Slovakia, however, have accused Ukraine of intentionally blocking shipments to gain political leverage, and have since decided to suspend diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine in response.