Fico Supports Orban in Conflict with Kyiv and Brussels
Slovakia and Hungary, whose leaders maintain closer ties with Moscow than most EU governments, have accused Kyiv of disconnecting the Druzhba pipeline.
During a press conference on Monday, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico emphasized the strong stance of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, supporting pressure on Ukraine over the suspended Druzhba pipeline and warning that Slovakia may reconsider its support for Kyiv on key issues.
This move indicates that Slovakia has aligned itself with Hungary in the escalating conflict with Ukraine and the European Union regarding energy, aid, and sanctions. It is important to note that the Druzhba pipeline is a key element of this contentious issue, as it supplies Russian oil to the refineries of both countries, passing through Ukrainian territory.
Over the past year, Fico has repeatedly signaled at meetings and in public speeches his intention for Slovakia to continue importing Russian gas, sharply criticizing the European Union's energy policy. During his latest personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing in September 2025, Fico stated that Slovakia is 'extremely interested in standardizing relations' with Russia.
This position directly contradicts EU policy, which aims to end dependence on Russian energy in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. While most EU countries view the war as a reason to sever ties with Russia, Fico and Orban are moving in the opposite direction.
The Druzhba pipeline has become the center of the dispute. It has been non-operational since the end of January when Ukraine reported that a Russian drone had damaged infrastructure in western Ukraine. Slovakia and Hungary accuse Kyiv of this disconnection, while Ukraine denies these accusations, asserting that the initial disruption was caused by Russian attacks and that restoring the infrastructure will take time.
Kyiv, in turn, is trying to defend its position, arguing that it is Russian actions that have caused the problems with the pipeline. In response, Ukrainian officials emphasize the need to focus on restoring and repairing the damaged infrastructure rather than on accusations, which they believe are unfounded.
In the context of this dispute, it is important to note that the Hungarian government led by Orban is actively using anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, which may influence the political situation in Hungary ahead of crucial elections scheduled for April 12. Analyses suggest possible Russian influence on these elections, raising concerns among observers.