Slovakia will back new sanctions against Russia once oil is flowing via Druzhba again, foreign minister says

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár has said his country is ready to support the EU's 20th package of sanctions against Russia after Slovakia "received a signal" about the possible resumption of oil supplies.

Source: European Pravda, citing Blanár after a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 21 April in Luxembourg

Details: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier that Ukraine has completed repairs to the section of the Druzhba pipeline damaged in a Russian strike and the pipeline could reopen.

Quote from Blanár: "We have received a signal that oil supplies may resume, and I can only state that we are prepared to support even a 20th sanctions package against Russia, as according to our assessment it would not have a significant impact on the Slovak economy."

More details: Blanár stressed, however, that Slovakia will do so only once "Russian oil arrives in Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline".

Quote from Blanár: "So for now, I can say that we do not have such information, and I have informed my colleagues and the entire Foreign Affairs Council that this is a political decision stemming from President Zelenskyy's decision not to allow oil to flow to Slovakia and Hungary."

Background:

• Blanár said earlier that Slovakia was ready to block the EU's latest Russia sanctions package but would not oppose the €90 billion loan to Ukraine.
• On 21 April, Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka said that Hungary and Slovakia have confirmed that if Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline resume, both countries will support the EU loan for Ukraine and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia.

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