Zelenskyy meets Slovakia's Fico, says Ukraine will respond to Russia's energy attacks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday (September 5) that Kyiv would continue targeting Russian energy infrastructure in response to repeated strikes on Ukraine’s own facilities, despite complaints from Slovakia and Hungary over disruptions to their oil supplies.

His remarks followed his first high-level meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Uzhhorod, near the Slovak border. The two leaders have previously clashed over energy issues, with Slovakia and Hungary maintaining purchases of Russian oil and gas even as most EU states have reduced dependence since Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Recent Ukrainian strikes on the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian oil through Ukraine to Slovakia, have caused interruptions in supply to both Slovakia and Hungary. “Ukraine responds to Russia’s attacks on our energy facilities, and will keep doing so,” Zelenskyy told reporters, adding: “We want this war to end. But no one is going to sit in the dark and accept it.”

Fico argued the attacks were harming Slovakia, even if aimed at what Ukraine sees as “legitimate” targets. He stressed that the interests of other countries connected to the international energy network should also be considered.

Zelenskyy said Kyiv was open to supplying Slovakia with oil and gas—provided it was not of Russian origin. Fico, however, has criticised Ukraine’s decision not to renew its gas transit contract with Russia at the end of 2024, after which Gazprom rerouted supplies under a separate long-term deal with Slovakia.

The Slovak leader has also resisted EU proposals to phase out Russian energy imports, briefly blocking the bloc’s latest sanctions package while seeking safeguards against potential economic fallout for his country.

Despite their disagreements, Fico said there was room for cooperation, particularly in energy, and expressed hope that Ukraine would secure security guarantees. He also offered Slovakia’s experience to support Kyiv in its EU accession talks.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump told European leaders on Thursday that Europe must halt purchases of Russian oil, which he said continued to finance Moscow’s war.

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