Overview
- Fico announced on Facebook that Slovakia will no longer provide emergency assistance to stabilize Ukraine’s grid starting Feb. 23.
- Ukraine’s grid operator Ukrenergo said emergency imports from Slovakia remain technically available under new pricing terms.
- The standoff stems from halted oil flows on the Druzhba line since a Jan. 27 strike, with Slovakia and Hungary alleging Kyiv is withholding transit and Ukraine denying political obstruction.
- Hungary has vetoed the EU’s 20th Russia sanctions package and earlier blocked a large EU loan for Kyiv, tying its approval to the resumption of oil deliveries.
- Fico warned Slovakia could revisit its stance on Ukraine’s EU bid and cited losses from reduced gas transit and heavy January electricity support, presenting these as his government’s claims.