Slovakia's Solution to Ukrainian Blockage of Russian Oil

Slovakia has offered a technical solution to Ukraine to resume halted Russian oil supplies to Slovak and Hungarian refineries, warning of potential fuel shortages. The halt occurred due to Kyiv's sanctions on Lukoil, impacting EU members Slovakia and Hungary, which remain reliant on Russian energy.

Slovakia proposed on Friday a technical solution to Ukraine aimed at restoring the halted Russian oil supplies to Slovak and Hungarian refineries. The cessation has raised concerns about potential fuel shortages by September.

Slovakia and Hungary, Eastern EU members, have been affected by the stoppage of Lukoil flows through Ukraine, after Kyiv sanctioned the Russian company. The issue highlights continued dependency on Russian energy over two years after the EU banned oil imports from Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

Slovakia and Hungary are urging the EU to mediate, as they blame Ukraine for the disruption. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico proposed a collaborative technical fix involving multiple states. However, alternative oil sources are costlier and may not suit Slovakia's refinery. Despite ongoing negotiations, no immediate resolution is in sight, leading to fears of an impending fuel shortage.

(With inputs from agencies.)