Zelensky meets Slovakia’s Fico, says Ukraine will respond to Russia’s energy attacks

UZHHOROD, Ukraine - President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept 5 that Ukraine would continue to respond to Russian attacks on its energy facilities, despite criticism from Slovakia and Hungary which have suffered Russian oil supply disruptions as a result.

Mr Zelensky spoke after holding his first high-level talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico - with whom he has clashed over Russian energy supplies in the past - in the Ukrainian city of Uzhhorod, near the border with Slovakia.

Slovakia, along with Hungary, has continued to buy Russian gas and oil even as other European Union countries cut ties after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

The EU is investing in more energy routes. But Slovakia and Hungary say alternative routes face bottlenecks and are more expensive.

Oil shipments to both countries have been disrupted in recent weeks due to Ukrainian attacks on the Druzhba pipeline, which runs from Russia through Ukraine before reaching Slovakia.

“Ukraine responds to Russia’s attacks on our energy facilities, and will keep doing so,” Mr Zelensky said at a joint news conference with Mr Fico, referring to years of Russian attacks on Ukrainian power stations and other energy infrastructure.

“But we really want this war to end. However, no one is going to just sit in the dark and tolerate it.”

Mr Fico said military attacks on “legitimate” targets hurt Slovakia.

“We should also look at the interests of other countries that are part of the international energy network,” Mr Fico said.

Mr Zelensky also said Kyiv remained open to supplying Slovakia with oil and gas - unless it comes from Russia.

Mr Fico has criticised Ukraine for not extending the transit of Russian gas after Kyiv’s contract with Russia expired at the end of 2024. Russian energy group Gazprom has since rerouted its supplies, which it ships to Slovakia under a long-term deal.

Mr Fico has also sharply opposed an EU plan under discussion to phase out Russian energy imports and temporarily held up the bloc’s last sanctions package on Russia to demand guarantees against damages Slovakia could face from the cut-off.

US President Donald Trump told European leaders on Sept 4 that

Europe must stop buying Russian oil

that he said is helping Moscow fund its war against Ukraine.

Mr Fico said on Sept 5 that despite differences, there was wide scope for cooperation including in energy. He said he hoped Ukraine would find security guarantees, and offered to share Slovakia’s experience to help Ukraine’s European Union entry talks.

“Good, friendly neighbourly relations, just peace, the fastest possible ceasefire, and a European perspective are the four things that we wish for... despite the fact that we have differing opinions on some issues,” Mr Fico said. REUTERS