Sutaj Estok: Attacks on Druzhba May Worsen Situation for Ukraine's Neighbours

Bratislava, 22 August (TASR) - The fact that Ukraine is in an extremely difficult situation doesn't justify it in repeated attacks on the Druzhba oil pipeline, which also supplies crude oil to Slovakia, Interior Minister and Voice-SD chairman Matus Sutaj Estok said in response to the Ukrainian army's attacks on the infrastructure of the Druzhba oil pipeline on the Russian territory, adding that such attacks could further complicate its own position and worsen the situation for neighbouring states that are interested in fair and good relations. The minister pointed out that oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline are currently interrupted, but the operation should be resumed at the beginning of next week. According to him, Slovakia is not in danger, it has strategic reserves of crude oil and oil products for 90 days. "However, the situation is serious, it has affected not only Slovakia but also Hungary. President of the United States of America Donald Trump also reacted angrily to the situation. We'll certainly address the problem with such an overlap at the level of the European Commission," pointed out Sutaj Estok, adding that the attacks, which may threaten the energy security of Slovak citizens, can't be considered a friendly step. The Ukrainian army has attacked the Druzhba oil pipeline infrastructure on Russian territory three times in nine days, and supplies via this pipeline, which also transports oil to Slovakia and Hungary, have therefore been suspended. The Slovak and Hungarian Foreign Affairs Ministers, Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) and Peter Szijjarto, respectively, have sent a joint open letter to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and EU Commissioner for Energy Dan Jorgensen on Friday concerning this, calling on the European Commission (EC) to immediately ensure adherence to commitments related to the security of energy supplies of EU-member states. The ministers reminded Kallas and Jorgensen of the fact that the EC in its resolution from 27 January 2025 stated that the integrity of energy infrastructure supplying EU-member states is a matter of security for the whole Union. In this regard, the Commission called on all third countries to respect this. am