Slovakia threatens retaliation against Ukraine over Russian oil; Kiev ready to address potentially troublesome issues

On July 30, Ukrainian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Andarak announced that Kiev guarantees oil transit for companies that are not subject to sanctions, and is ready to resolve oil transit issues with Slovakia.

Ukraine is ready to resolve the oil transit issue with Slovakia. (Source: Reuters)

In late June, Ukraine imposed sanctions against Lukoil - one of Russia's largest oil companies - by banning any of the company's activities on the territory of the Eastern European country.

Kiev also announced that it was blocking Lukoil oil from being transported to refineries in Slovakia and Hungary.

According to Deputy Minister Andarak, Ukraine is "ready to resolve issues that could cause trouble" once Slovakia activates the relevant mechanism in the European Union (EU) association agreement.

However, according to Mr. Andarak, Bratislava has not yet done this.

"Kiev guarantees uninterrupted oil transit for all companies that are not subject to Western and Ukrainian sanctions," the official said.

Slovakia, along with Hungary, has opposed military aid from Western allies to Kiev in its conflict with Moscow and has been ramping up pressure since Ukraine sanctioned Lukoil.

Oil transit through Ukraine from other Russian suppliers has not been disrupted and Kiev continues to be a "reliable partner" for the EU in oil transit services, Deputy Minister Andarak said.

* Previously, on July 29, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico warned that Bratislava would stop supplying diesel to Ukraine unless Kiev restored oil flows from Lukoil through Ukrainian territory.

Prime Minister Fico said that if Kiev did not end its actions blocking Russian crude oil from transiting through Ukraine to Slovakia and Hungary, the Slovnaft refinery would no longer export diesel to the conflict-torn Eastern European country, which accounts for 10% of the country's needs.

The leader assessed that the above action harmed Slovakia, Hungary and Ukraine, while Russia did not even feel the impact of this measure.

The joint market share of Slovakia and Hungary in diesel supplies to Ukraine is about 10%.

Analysts say Kiev could replace this diesel with other sources.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/slovakia-doa-tra-dua-ukraine-lien-quan-den-dau-nga-kiev-san-sang-giai-quyet-cac-van-de-co-the-gay-rac-roi-280705.html