Slovakia agrees not to block EU's 20th Russia sanctions package as oil flows through Druzhba resume

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár has said he has instructed the country's representative to the EU not to block the written approval of the 20th sanctions package against Russia, provided that oil continues to flow via the Druzhba pipeline without disruption.

Source: European Pravda, citing Blanár on Facebook

Details: On the morning of 23 April, supplies of Russian oil to Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline reportedly resumed after being suspended for nearly three months. This was a key condition for Bratislava approving the new package of sanctions against Russia.

"It has been confirmed that oil is flowing through Druzhba to Slovakia, and this is the result of targeted pressure exerted by Slovak diplomacy and the Ministry of Economy on the Ukrainian side and the European Commission," Blanár wrote.

He said Slovakia will not block the adoption of sanctions if the pipeline operates steadily.

"I have therefore instructed the Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the European Union in Brussels not to block the written procedure for adopting the 20th sanctions package at the EU level if oil continues to flow without interruption and in the agreed volumes," the minister said.

Background:

• On 22 April, Hungary confirmed the resumption of Russian oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline.
• The restart of oil supplies was a condition set by Hungary and Slovakia for approving a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine and the Russia sanctions package. The written procedure for approval began on 22 April and is set to conclude on 23 April.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the unblocking of the €90 billion loan and the 20th sanctions package, stressing that he expects swift implementation of the agreements.

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