Ukraine and Slovakia Hold Phone Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico held a telephone conversation on February 27. Their discussion centered on the operation of the 'Druzhba' oil pipeline and a proposal to establish a special investigative commission to conduct technical and political checks on the Ukrainian section of the conduit. This pipeline is a critical piece of Soviet-era energy infrastructure for Central Europe.
Prior to this call, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán published an open letter to Zelenskyy. In it, he stated that supplies via 'Druzhba' had been blocked in recent days, a move he described as jeopardizing Hungary's secure and affordable energy supply for its households and contradicting Hungarian interests.
In response to these challenges, Ukraine has formally offered Hungary a compromise mechanism to restore the pipeline's operation. Separately, the European Union is considering the potential use of Croatia's Adria pipeline as an alternative for some supplies that normally transit the 'Druzhba' system.
Invitation for Cooperation
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited Prime Minister Robert Fico to visit Ukraine to discuss all outstanding issues. This initiative could represent a significant step in fostering bilateral cooperation amid the current energy challenges affecting the region.
The conversation between Zelenskyy and Fico highlights the ongoing energy security issues arising from the conflict in Ukraine and its impact on neighboring states. The discussion of potential compromises and the invitation for a visit signal Ukraine's intent to strengthen regional collaboration and seek joint solutions to matters of energy supply.