Ministry: Resumption of Oil Supplies via Druzhba Postponed Again, to 26 February

Bratislava, 24 February (TASR) - The resumption of oil supplies to Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline continues to be delayed, with the date on which supplies should be resumed being postponed until 26 February (Thursday), the Economy Ministry's press department announced on Tuesday. The ministry reported on Monday evening (23 February) that, according to the Ukrainian side, the resumption of oil supplies to Slovakia would be postponed until 25 February. "The date for resuming oil supplies to Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline has been postponed again. State-run oil-transport operator Transpetrol, which operates under the authority of the Economy Ministry, has been informed of another update to the schedule for resuming oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline. The date for resuming supplies has been postponed until 26 February 2026. The reasons for the postponement on the Ukrainian side weren't specified in detail," it added. The ministry also noted that it's aware of a fire at the Kaleikino pumping station in Russia, which is part of the Druzhba oil pipeline infrastructure. According to currently available technical information, the extent of the damage shouldn't affect future oil flows to Slovakia. The Economy Ministry is in contact with all relevant partners and continues to monitor the situation closely. The ministry has given assurances that supplies of fuel to the domestic market in Slovakia remain unthreatened. The government has already taken preventive measures, including declaring a state of emergency in relation to oil supplies and releasing part of the state's emergency oil reserves to bridge the period until alternative supplies arrive. At the same time, the Economy Ministry continues to communicate intensively with its foreign partners in order to ensure that oil supplies are stable and to protect Slovakia's energy interests. am/df