Fico claimed that trust in Ukraine had been undermined by the "Druzhba" pipeline

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico suggested that the Druzhba oil pipeline could be shut down again shortly after the European Union approves a loan for Ukraine. 

The official announced this in a video message on his Facebook page, noting that trust between countries has been seriously undermined due to a failure to keep promises. 

The politician emphasized that the Slovak government did not agree to this loan and is not participating in it, unlike Hungary and the Czech Republic, although the decision was made legally within the EU. Fico stressed the extreme importance of oil supplies via this route for stabilizing energy prices in the region. He added that he would not be surprised by a new suspension of transit shortly after Ukraine receives the funds. 

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that the release of the €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine is taking place in parallel with the resumption of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, and that these processes are interrelated.

EU ambassadors approved a €90 billion loan for Ukraine and also agreed on the 20th package of sanctions against Russia.

The European Commission has finalized the key elements of a €90 billion financial support package for Ukraine for 2026–2027. The first tranche is expected to be disbursed as early as the second quarter of this year.

Von der Leyen assured that Ukraine will receive the loan from the EU.