Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered to supply gas and oil to Slovakia—but only if they are not of Russian origin. He made the statement during a joint briefing with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico following talks in Uzhhorod, Zakarpattia, on September 5, local media reported.
“The Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Mr. Fico, and I discussed energy. We are ready to supply gas and oil to Slovakia, provided that it is not Russian gas or Russian oil. Because we are at war. Period,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
The Ukrainian leader stressed that Kyiv continues to respond to Russian strikes on its energy facilities but is determined to work toward ending the war. The meeting also touched on broader issues: Slovakia’s energy independence, Ukraine’s European integration, and bilateral cooperation on economic and infrastructure projects.
Slovakia’s Energy Dilemma
Slovakia, alongside Hungary, remains dependent on Russian oil, largely supplied through the Druzhba pipeline. This dependence has increasingly become a point of friction with both Kyiv and Brussels. In recent months, Ukrainian drones have struck multiple pumping stations along the pipeline in Russia, sparking protests from Bratislava and Budapest.
Slovak and Hungarian foreign ministers even lodged complaints with the European Commission, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán appealed directly to US President Donald Trump, claiming Ukraine’s actions endangered energy supplies.
Trump, according to Zelenskyy, responded angrily, insisting that Europe must stop financing Russia’s war through oil purchases.
From Moscow to Zakarpattia
Zelensky’s talks with Fico came just days after the Slovak prime minister met Vladimir Putin in China. At that meeting, Fico criticized Ukrainian drone strikes on energy infrastructure, calling them “unacceptable” for Slovakia.
By hosting him in Zakarpattia, Zelensky sought to reframe the dialogue—offering Slovakia a pathway to diversify away from Russian energy under Ukraine’s partnership.
During the Uzhhorod meeting, Zelensky also briefed Fico on his recent call with Trump and progress made by the Coalition of the Willing, which gathered in Paris on September 4. He stressed that “Slovakia will not stand aside.”
EU Integration Back on the Table
Another key point was Ukraine’s path to the European Union. While Fico’s government initially opposed Kyiv’s accession talks, pressure from other EU states has softened Bratislava’s position.
Zelenskyy welcomed Slovakia’s support, writing, “Slovakia supports Ukraine’s movement towards the European Union. This is very important. At the same time, we see that Ukraine and Moldova must continue to move together towards EU membership.”
For Kyiv, securing Slovak backing is not just symbolic but practical: Slovakia’s geographic position makes it a critical transit state for future EU integration, energy flows, and infrastructure projects.
Strikes on Druzhba Pipeline
The meeting followed a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian sections of the Druzhba pipeline in Bryansk, Tambov, and Unecha, which Kyiv views as legitimate targets undermining Russia’s oil revenues.
While these strikes disrupt Russia’s ability to fund its war, they have also rattled Slovakia’s energy security—creating a delicate balancing act in bilateral talks.
Zelenskyy reiterated that Russian oil and gas have no future, stressing that Europe must accelerate its shift toward independence from Moscow’s energy.
