In an official statement, the Slovak prime minister said the decision followed Ukraine’s failure to restore oil deliveries to Slovakia by the agreed deadline of Monday. The warning had been issued on Saturday, with Fico stating that continued oil transit disruptions would trigger immediate consequences in the energy sector.

According to Fico, the condition was not met, prompting him to instruct SEPS, Slovakia’s state-owned electricity transmission system operator, to suspend all emergency electricity exports that had been helping stabilize Ukraine’s power grid amid ongoing wartime strain.

The emergency electricity flows have played a key role in supporting Ukraine’s energy system, which has suffered repeated damage since the outbreak of the war with Russia. Slovak officials say the decision was taken to protect national interests and energy security, stressing that Slovakia cannot continue to provide critical support while its own oil supplies remain disrupted.

The move escalates tensions between Slovakia and Ukraine, and adds pressure to an already fragile regional energy landscape. Observers warn that prolonged disputes over oil and electricity transit could have wider implications for Central and Eastern Europe’s energy stability.

Fico has maintained that the action is not hostile but necessary, reiterating that emergency assistance cannot substitute for normal contractual obligations on energy transit.

In a post on social media, Fico said he would instruct SEPS, Slovakia’s state owned electricity grid operator, to suspend emergency power exports to Ukraine should oil deliveries not resume by Monday.

The warning marks a sharp escalation in tensions over energy transit routes linked to Russia’s oil exports. Slovakia relies on oil flows passing through Ukraine, and disruptions have heightened economic and political friction within the region.

Fico argued that Slovakia has provided significant emergency electricity support to Ukraine amid ongoing attacks on its energy infrastructure during the war with Russia. He claimed that in January alone, the volume of emergency electricity supplied was twice as high as during the whole of 2025, underscoring what he described as Slovakia’s substantial contribution to stabilizing Ukraine’s power grid.

The dispute comes as broader divisions emerge within the European Union over financial and energy policy related to Ukraine. Hungary has reportedly blocked a proposed €90 billion EU loan package intended to support Ukraine, citing concerns tied to the Russian oil transit issue. Meanwhile, Poland has announced it is ending the special status granted to Ukrainian refugees, reflecting shifting domestic political calculations across the region.

The developments highlight growing strains within the EU as member states balance solidarity with Ukraine against national energy security and economic pressures.

Analysts warn that any suspension of emergency electricity exports from Slovakia could place additional stress on Ukraine’s already fragile energy system, particularly during periods of high demand or infrastructure damage.

With the deadline set by Fico approaching, attention now turns to whether diplomatic efforts can resolve the oil transit dispute and prevent further fragmentation within the bloc.