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Fico criticizes Kiev sanctions on Russian oil in talks with Shmyhal

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Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized Ukraine’s sanctions against Russian company Lukoil in a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on July 20, Slovak news agency Tasr reported.

In June, Kiev imposed sanctions blocking the flow of oil through Lukoil pipelines to Central Europe, cutting off a source of income for the Kremlin, which backs its military.

“Slovakia does not want to be held hostage by Ukrainian-Russian relations,” Fico reportedly told Shmyhal.

Fico claimed that Ukraine’s decision to block Lukoil’s transit would have negative consequences for the Slovak oil refinery Slovnaft, which is part of the MOL Group, a Hungarian oil and gas conglomerate.

Ukraine’s restrictions have led to fuel shortages in Budapest, which relies on Russia for 70 percent of its oil supply, Politico reported July 20.

According to Fico, Slovnaft will receive “40 percent less oil than it needs for processing” because of Kiev sanctions.

“This will not only affect the Slovak market, but may also lead to a stop in the supply of oil produced by Slovnaft to Ukraine,” Fico said.

According to Fico, Slovnaft products account for one-tenth of Ukraine’s oil consumption.

Shmyhal’s office has not yet commented on the conversation.

Fico, a pro-Russian populist, halted military aid to Ukraine after taking office in September 2023. This move marked a radical turnaround in Slovak foreign policy.

In May, Fico was shot and seriously wounded in an assassination attempt. He made his first public appearance since the July 5 shooting, when he addressed supporters in a speech praising Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

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