Fico threatens veto on new EU sanctions against Russia over Druzhba pipeline blockade

(Patria) - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened yesterday to block new European Union sanctions against Russia because Ukraine has not resumed pumping oil through the Druzhba pipeline, TASS reported.

- If the European Commission prioritizes Ukraine over Slovakia, it can forget about support for the twentieth package of sanctions against Russia or our readiness to meet halfway (in implementing plans) for Ukraine's swift accession to the EU - Fico said in a video message on Facebook.

Ukraine claims the Druzhba pipeline is damaged but does not allow European experts to inspect the pipeline, TASS reports.

- We note the statements of the Ukrainian president that he is absolutely not interested in resuming the transit of Russian oil. After stopping the transit of Russian gas, we are talking about another openly hostile and economically damaging step by Volodymyr Zelensky towards Slovakia.

The European Commission has done nothing to force Zelensky (to fix the pipeline situation) - Fico said.

According to him, if oil supplies through Druzhba had continued, Slovakia and the Central European region would not have faced a difficult situation with gasoline, whose prices are rising amid the Middle East crisis.

- The European Commission expects us to allow gasoline and diesel prices (in Slovakia) to rise above two euros per liter. I have absolutely no doubt that this also serves political goals - weakening the current government coalition, which dares to hold many sovereign views on fundamental issues.

The European Commission would be much happier if (Slovakia) had a government composed of the opposition. That would fulfill all the European Commission's wishes and perhaps drag Slovakia into a war - Fico added.

The current cabinet, according to him, will continue to pursue a sovereign policy and defend Slovakia's national interests.