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.
The chief executive of Google DeepMind, Demis Hassabis, has called for more urgent research into the potential dangers posed by artificial intelligenc...
Divers have recovered the bodies of seven Chinese tourists and a Russian driver after their minibus broke through the ice of Lake Baikal in Russia, au...
Iran announced on Saturday that it has designated the naval and air forces of European Union member states as “terrorist entities” in a reciprocal...
A technical fault in the helium system of NASA’s next-generation moon rocket was announced on Saturday, ruling out the planned March launch window f...
President Donald Trump said on Saturday (21 February) that he will raise temporary tariffs on nearly all U.S. imports from 10% to 15%, the maximum all...
The chief executive of Google DeepMind, Demis Hassabis, has called for more urgent research into the potential dangers posed by artificial intelligence, warning that stronger safeguards are needed as systems become more advanced.
Divers have recovered the bodies of seven Chinese tourists and a Russian driver after their minibus broke through the ice of Lake Baikal in Russia, authorities said.
Iran announced on Saturday that it has designated the naval and air forces of European Union member states as “terrorist entities” in a reciprocal move after the EU blacklisted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
A technical fault in the helium system of NASA’s next-generation moon rocket was announced on Saturday, ruling out the planned March launch window for the Artemis II mission.
Quentin Griffiths, co-founder of online fashion retailer ASOS, has died in Pattaya, Thailand, after falling from the 17th floor of a condominium on 9 February, Thai police confirmed.
Cubans are increasingly turning to solar power to keep businesses operating and basic household appliances running during prolonged electricity cuts, as fuel shortages make diesel generators and other temporary solutions more difficult and costly to maintain.
Ukraine’s National Paralympic Committee has announced it will boycott the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics in Verona on 6 March, citing the International Paralympic Committee’s decision to allow some Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags.
Eric Dane, the actor best known for his roles in 'Grey’s Anatomy' and 'Euphoria', died on Thursday, at the age of 53 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His family confirmed his death after what they described as a “courageous battle” with ALS.
An Austrian climber has been convicted of gross negligent manslaughter after his girlfriend died from hypothermia while climbing Austria’s highest peak, the Grossglockner, in January 2025.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved new sanctions targeting Russian maritime operators, defence-linked companies and individuals connected to Moscow’s military and energy sectors, according to official decrees issued on Saturday.
Divers have recovered the bodies of seven Chinese tourists and a Russian driver after their minibus broke through the ice of Lake Baikal in Russia, authorities said.
A technical fault in the helium system of NASA’s next-generation moon rocket was announced on Saturday, ruling out the planned March launch window for the Artemis II mission.
President Donald Trump said on Saturday (21 February) that he will raise temporary tariffs on nearly all U.S. imports from 10% to 15%, the maximum allowed under the law, after the Supreme Court struck down his previous tariff program.
Germany's ruling conservatives on Saturday (21 February) passed a motion to ban social media use for under 14s and introduce more stringent digital verification checks for teenagers, building momentum for such limits in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment