Slovakia formally terminates emergency electricity contract with Ukraine — Kyiv had already been refused when it asked

Slovakia's government voted on 4 March to formally terminate its emergency electricity supply agreement with Ukraine, Denník N reported. Prime Minister Robert Fico pushed the measure through cabinet, formalizing a ban already in effect — and after Ukraine had already been refused when it tried to access the lifeline.

Kyiv asked, Bratislava refused — then canceled the contract

Denník N says the director of Slovakia's state grid operator Slovak Electricity Transmission System, Martin Magát, confirmed the government's decision after the cabinet meeting. Ukraine last received emergency electricity from Slovakia in January, he said. After that, Kyiv requested supplies and received nothing.

From threat to policy: Fico's escalation

Fico first threatened to cut emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine in February, as Russia's strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure pushed the country into severe blackouts. On 23 February, he announced the suspension, tying it explicitly to the Druzhba pipeline dispute. The 4 March cabinet vote converted that suspension into a formal contract termination.

Fico's stated rationale: Ukraine must restore oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline before he lifts any measures. Russia struck Druzhba infrastructure at the Brody pumping station in Lviv Oblast on 27 January, halting oil transit to Slovakia and Hungary. Despite that, both Bratislava and Budapest have blamed Kyiv, claiming Ukraine is deliberately blocking the resumption for political reasons. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed the pipeline damage resulted from a Russian attack.

Opposition: "A new front against Ukraine on Russia's side"

In Late February, Slovakia's opposition party Freedom and Solidarity filed a criminal complaint with prosecutors over Fico's earlier decision to suspend emergency supplies. MP Karol Galek accused Fico of opening "a new front against Ukraine on Russia's side," warning the cutoff could have critical consequences for Ukrainian civilians already suffering through Russian energy strikes.

Fico also warned earlier that if Ukraine does not restore Druzhba transit, Slovakia may revisit its support for Ukraine's European Union membership bid.