Slovak president threatens Ukraine over halted Russian oil transit

Slovak media Dennik N reports that both President  Peter Pellegrini and Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák have strongly criticized Ukraine for halting the oil supplies. Kaliňák described Kyiv's actions as “irresponsible” and stated that Ukraine is “risking a lot.”

Pellegrini said that Slovakia could implement “indefinite reciprocal measures,” adding that his country does not deserve such treatment from Kyiv.

“If the situation does not improve, we will have to react,” the Slovak leader said.

• Oil from the Russian company Lukoil has stopped coming to Slovakia and Hungary because of Ukraine's sanctions. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that Ukraine's decision was “incomprehensible and unacceptable.”

• On Saturday, July 20, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico spoke by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal, criticizing the addition of the Russian oil company Lukoil, whose oil was also used by the Slovak oil refinery Slovnafta, to the sanctions list.

• On July 22, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that Ukraine's decision to stop the transit of oil from the Russian company Lukoil threatens the security of energy supplies to his country and Slovakia, so Hungary may initiate a legal action.

• On July 23, Hungary and Slovakia initiated a European Commission committee meeting due to Ukraine's ban on Lukoil's oil transit.

• On the same day, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that his country would continue to block €6.5 billion in EU military aid to Ukraine if Kyiv did not resume the transit of Russian Lukoil oil through its territory.