Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has escalated tensions with Ukraine, threatening to halt emergency electricity supplies unless oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline resume by Monday. The ultimatum, posted on social media February 22, 2026, comes amid a deepening energy crisis triggered by a January 27 pipeline attack that halted oil deliveries to Slovakia and Hungary. 💥
⚡ The Power Play
Fico claims emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine in January 2026 alone doubled Slovakia’s 2025 total. “If oil isn’t restored, SEPS [Slovakia’s grid operator] will cut emergency power,” he declared. The PM also accused Ukrainian President Zelenskyy of “malicious behavior” toward Slovakia for its refusal to “support the war.”
🛢️ Pipeline Fallout
Slovakia declared an oil emergency after the Druzhba pipeline attack, which Ukrainian officials acknowledged. Fico estimates annual losses of €500M ($590M) since 2025 from halted gas flows, plus new logistical challenges from the oil stoppage. Critics call the power-cut threat a risky gambit in an already volatile region.
🗳️ Election Interference Claims
On February 18, Fico accused Zelenskyy of “political blackmail” and meddling in Hungary’s election campaign, per Slovak state media. With cross-border tensions rising, the EU faces fresh challenges in balancing energy security and regional diplomacy. 🌍
