Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico that Bratislava could face energy cutoffs if it continues to disrupt oil supplies via targeted strikes on infrastructure. The remarks, made during a meeting in Beijing on Tuesday, highlight escalating tensions over the Druzhba pipeline, a critical artery for Russian oil deliveries to Central Europe.
Putin framed Slovakia and Hungary’s accusations against Ukraine as hypocritical, citing Moscow’s own experience of retaliating against attacks on its energy systems. “We endured repeated assaults on our infrastructure before taking action. Now, we urge others to consider the consequences of their aggression,” he stated, without directly mentioning Ukraine’s role in the pipeline disruptions.
Fico, who will meet Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy this week, signaled resistance to EU plans to phase out Russian oil and gas imports by 2027. “We oppose these measures,” Fico said, arguing that such policies would harm Slovakia’s economy. He also dismissed the RePowerEU initiative as impractical, claiming it would collapse before its deadline.
Zelenskiy recently mocked the Druzhba pipeline’s name, joking that Ukraine’s support for Hungary now hinges on Budapest’s stance. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto condemned the remark as “disgraceful,” accusing Kyiv of exploiting the crisis to pressure neighboring states. While Slovakia and Hungary have floated energy retaliation options, no concrete steps have been taken yet.
The standoff underscores growing European instability as Ukraine’s military actions strain regional alliances. Putin’s remarks underscore a pattern of escalating confrontations, with energy security becoming a central battleground in the broader conflict.