No one should tell Slovakia and Hungary where to obtain oil, says Fico

“I propose cooperation with Hungary, primarily regarding the secure energy supply for our countries. No one should tell us where to get our oil and gas. According to international law, this is an independent country that decides its energy balance,” said Slovak Prime Minister Fico.

He noted that he shares Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's view that “the political and ideological decision to completely cut off Europe’s fuel supply from Russia will harm not only Slovakia and Hungary but will also seriously damage the entire European Union.” Slovak Prime Minister has repeatedly stated that he remains an advocate for the continuity of energy supplies from Russia to the European Union, as their cessation would negatively affect energy prices and European competitiveness.

Russia has previously stated that the West has made a serious mistake by refusing to purchase hydrocarbons from Russia. It would fall into a new, stronger dependence due to high prices, while those who refused would still buy at higher prices through intermediaries and continue to purchase Russian oil and gas.