Fico: Zelenskyy Rejects Sending Inspection Group to Druzhba Pipeline

Bratislava, 28 February (TASR) - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected a request to allow an inspection group to examine the actual state of damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine, TASR has learnt from his video posted on a social network on Saturday. According to Fico, Zelenskyy is not interested in resuming oil transit. "President Zelenskyy is making excuses, saying that the oil pipeline is damaged on Ukrainian territory; we have completely different information, but when we asked the President to allow us to send an inspection group to verify the actual situation, he flatly refused. In the same fashion, he also turned down the request during a phone call I had with him yesterday (27 February)," stressed Fico. The Slovak premier stated he has no problem meeting with the Ukrainian President, while the date and venue are currently being arranged. "But today it's plain to see that the Ukrainian President has no interest in resuming the transit of oil to which we are entitled, which is duly paid for, and which we can continue to receive even in 2027 based on the decision of EU authorities," he added. According to Fico, EU authorities prioritise Ukraine's national interests over those of member states such as Slovakia or Hungary. "The EU did nothing to help us when President Zelenskyy halted gas transit, causing us annual losses of €500 million in transit fees. So far, we've seen no support regarding the Ukrainian President's further hostile move to halt oil supplies to Slovakia and Hungary, which is causing us incredible damage," added Fico. Fico and Hungarian premier Viktor Orban stated on Friday (27 February) that they are proposing to set up an inspection group to examine the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine. The group should be composed of experts nominated by Slovakia, Hungary and the European Commission. Russian oil hasn't been flowing through the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia since 27 January. According to Ukraine, the reason is a Russian attack on a pipeline facility in the town of Brody in Lviv region. jrg