Slovak PM Fico: von der Leyen and I agree oil transit via Druzhba should be resumed

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the World Nuclear Forum in Paris and said they share the view that oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline should be resumed.

As reported by Slovak newspaper SME, Fico claims that he and the European Commission have the same position regarding the restoration of the transit of Russian oil through Ukraine to Slovakia.

He recalled that Slovakia, on the basis of granted exemptions, has the right to buy Russian oil not only through the Druzhba pipeline but also by sea.

"However, here we are facing a problem with our Croatian partners, but I believe it can be resolved," Fico said.

He showed von der Leyen satellite images which, he claims, confirm that the Druzhba pipeline in Ukraine has not been damaged and that it was a unilateral decision by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to stop the flow of oil.

"We agreed that transit through the Druzhba pipeline must be resumed," he said, adding that the Commission is ready to provide not only technical assistance but also funding for any repair works.

As Fico wrote on Facebook, it is in the joint interest of the European Commission and Slovakia to send an inspection group to Ukraine and determine whether the Druzhba pipeline has actually been damaged.

"If the Druzhba pipeline is damaged, it must be repaired and put back into operation as soon as possible. Slovakia and the European Commission are ready to provide expert resources for repairs if necessary, and the Commission is ready to finance possible repairs," he said.

On 6 March, the European Commission confirmed that Fico had requested a meeting with von der Leyen.

Fico also said he intended to coordinate his position with the European Commission on the Druzhba oil pipeline before any meeting with Zelenskyy.