Slovakia, under the leadership of Prime Minister Robert Fico, has issued a warning to Ukraine regarding the halt of diesel supplies unless the flow of Lukoil crude is restored. In an effort to pressure Kiev into allowing the transit of Russian crude through its territory, Slovakian Prime Minister Fico proposed a technical solution to restore the flow of crude, emphasizing the importance of this access for the Bratislava-based Slovnaft refinery. The halt in oil flow was a result of Ukraine imposing sanctions on Lukoil in June, leading to concerns of supply shortages in Budapest, which heavily relies on Russian oil imports.
This move by Slovakia is part of a larger geopolitical strategy, with Ukraine seeking to cut off Moscow’s oil revenue and Hungary opposing EU policies in support of Ukraine, blocking their application for membership in the bloc. The situation has been deemed critical by Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, as it affects those still reliant on Russian oil supplies. The outcome of this standoff between Slovakia, Ukraine, and Russia remains uncertain, with potential implications for the larger region.
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