Slovakia to Support 20th Sanctions Package Against Russia After Druzhba Oil Supplies Resume

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár stated that his country is ready to support the 20th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. This announcement came after Slovakia received a signal about the possible resumption of oil supplies. Blanár made this statement after the conclusion of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on April 21 in Luxembourg.

According to Blanár, Slovakia is prepared to support the new sanctions package because, in their assessment, it will not have a significant impact on the country's economy. However, he emphasized that this would only happen once Russian oil reaches Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline.

The minister noted that currently there is no such information, and he informed his colleagues and the Foreign Affairs Council that this is a political decision stemming from President Zelenskyy's decision not to allow oil supplies to Slovakia and Hungary. Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine had completed repairs on the section of the Druzhba oil pipeline damaged by a Russian strike, and that the facility could resume operations.

On April 21, Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka also confirmed that Hungary and Slovakia had stated their readiness to support providing Kyiv with an EU loan and the twentieth package of sanctions against Russia, should Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline resume. Blanár had previously stated that Slovakia was prepared to block a new package of sanctions against Russia, but would not oppose providing Ukraine with a loan of 90 billion euros.