Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has stated that his country will not support the new, 20th package of EU anti-Russian sanctions if the European Commission continues to prioritize Ukraine’s interests over the issue of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline.
In a video address published on Facebook, Fico stressed that the European Commission had “done nothing” to pressure Ukraine into resuming the transit of Russian oil through Druzhba. Supplies via the southern branch of the pipeline were halted following strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure in late January 2026, dealing a serious blow to Slovakia’s economy, which depends on these deliveries.
“If the European Commission is going to prioritize Ukraine over Slovakia, then it can forget about our support for the 20th sanctions package against Russia, or our willingness to accommodate the fast-tracking of Ukraine’s EU accession without fulfilling the necessary requirements,” Fico said.
According to the Prime Minister, Brussels is applying double standards: on one hand actively pushing new sanctions and financial aid for Ukraine, while on the other ignoring the economic difficulties of EU member states such as Slovakia and Hungary, which are also facing energy supply disruptions.
The situation surrounding the 20th sanctions package has remained tense for several months. Previously, Hungary and Slovakia had already blocked or delayed the adoption of new measures against Russia, linking this to the Druzhba pipeline issue. Fico has repeatedly called anti-Russian sanctions “self-destructive” for the European economy and has proposed focusing on peace initiatives instead.
As of yet, there has been no official response from the European Commission to Fico’s latest statement. The adoption of sanctions in the EU requires unanimity among all 27 member states, meaning Slovakia’s position could once again stall the process.
Fico’s move deepens the rift within the European Union over policy toward Russia and Ukraine, particularly against the backdrop of certain Central European countries’ dependence on Russian energy.