Slovakia Urges EU Action on Ukraine Oil Flow Dispute

Slovakia has called on the European Commission to swiftly mediate a consultation with Ukraine over disrupted oil flows from Russia. Slovakia and Hungary, having ceased to receive oil from Russian company Lukoil, seek Commission intervention to resolve the issue. Slovakia's foreign minister emphasized the urgency to protect energy security.

Slovakia has urged the European Commission to act promptly in mediating a consultation procedure with Ukraine concerning disrupted oil flows from Russia. The appeal comes after Slovakia and Hungary reported a halt in oil deliveries from Russian firm Lukoil due to Kyiv's sanctions.

Last week, both countries pressed the Commission to leverage an association agreement against Ukraine's transit blockage. "I call on the European Commission not to drag out time and to take the side of its member states and especially its citizens as soon as possible," Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar stated in an email.

Blanar underscored the necessity to safeguard Slovakia's energy security and criticized the sanctions' repercussions. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto warned of taking the matter to court if the Commission failed to respond within three days. The ongoing tensions underscore the wider impact of EU sanctions on Russia's oil supply network.

(With inputs from agencies.)