Slovakia’s Social Democratic Prime Minister Robert Fico delivers sharp criticism of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, but also the EU, which he believes allows the Ukrainian president to set the agenda.
The remarks from the Slovak Prime Minister at a recent press conference come after a lengthy conflict between Slovakia, Hungary, and Ukraine centering on the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil via Ukraine to the two Central European countries. The pipeline is crucial for their energy supply – before the stoppage, it accounted for about 86–92 percent of Hungary’s oil imports and nearly all of Slovakia’s needs.
Fico criticizes that neither Slovakia nor Hungary, both members of the union, receive substantial support from Brussels on issues concerning oil supply. At the same time, he believes the EU rather seems to be siding with Ukraine in the conflict.
Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of deliberately stopping deliveries prior to the Hungarian election, arguing that the purpose is to create difficulties in the country. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has previously said that Hungary is prepared to take strong action against what he calls a Ukrainian oil blockade and has emphasized that compromise is not on the table. As a result, Orbán has, among other things, blocked extensive aid to Ukraine worth nearly 1000 billion SEK.
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At the European Council meeting on March 19, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky attended, despite Ukraine not being a member of the EU. Photos on the EU website show him speaking to the leaders of the member states, appealing for increased support.
According to Ukrainian officials, the pipeline was damaged by Russian attacks, something Hungary and Slovakia dispute, claiming they have not been given a chance to verify. Zelensky has meanwhile stated that he does not want to resume the flow as long as the war continues, even though repairs could technically be completed within six weeks. Reportedly, this has been delayed and both Slovakia and Hungary complain that they are not given any insight into the repair process.
Fico believes the situation is being politically exploited by Ukraine and warns that a continued suspension could have serious consequences. He also criticizes the EU, which he claims has acted passively on the issue and gives Zelensky whatever he requests while never questioning him.
– Zelensky controls the EU. Whatever he asks for, he gets, said Fico.
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Watch part of the statement at the press conference:
????BREAKING:
???????? THIS IS HUGE! Slovakia Reveals Zelensky Runs the European Union.
"Zelensky is directly interfering with the Hungarian Elections trying to bring an 'Oil Shock' to the domestic economy." pic.twitter.com/l1dpkYBEfd
— Based Hungary ???????? (@HungaryBased) April 2, 2026