In relation to Ukraine, the Slovak Republic behaves as a responsible partner and expects the same from the other party. However, in connection with the interruption of oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, Ukraine does not communicate sufficiently and does not give clear answers as to what happened and when supplies will be restored. This was announced by the Minister of Education and the vice-chairman of the Hlas-SD coalition Tomáš Drucker in the Sunday discussion show TA3 V politika.
- Slovakia expects better communication from Ukraine about oil.
- Slovakia has alternative sources of oil and sufficient reserves.
- Threatening to stop electricity supply is not good, according to Drucker.
- The opposition criticizes the government for its dependence on Russian oil.
- NGOs will face greater scrutiny of public resources.
According to him, Slovakia has ensured the diversification of supplies over the past years. “Today, we have the possibility of oil supplies from the Czech Republic, including through the Adria pipeline. Those negotiations were ongoing, but they are complicated because there is a problem between MOL and the Croatian side. That connection is more expensive than it is for us from the Russian side,” he pointed out, adding that Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD) is negotiating intensively with Croatia, Hungary and the Czech side, as well as with the European Commission. “We have ensured that there will be enough oil from the reservoirs. Second, the supply of oil from Saudi Arabia and other countries, which should pass through the Adria pipeline, is already secured,” he added.
The threat of interruption of electricity supply
In connection with the statements of Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) that if oil supplies to Slovakia via Ukraine are not resumed on Monday (February 23), the Slovak Republic will stop electricity supplies to the country, Drucker thinks that this would not be a good step. According to him, there will be no power outage in Ukraine, because it will be supplied by other countries. “In that case, only Slovakia would lose money. In my opinion, this is not the right step, I say that very clearly,” the minister added.
The chairman of the opposition KDH and member of the National Council (NR) of the Slovak Republic, Milan Majerský, criticized the government for being silent for three weeks about the damage to the Druzhba pipeline and the stoppage of oil supplies, as well as for different statements towards Ukraine and Russia. “The prime minister began to blame (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky, Ukraine as such. Of course, he did not want to admit that the Russians bombed this pipeline,” he recalled.
Criticism of dependence on Russia
According to Majerský, the government led by Fico made a mistake in the past when it did not cut off supplies from Russia a long time ago. “They should have cut themselves off from Russian fossil fuels. The Czechs and Poles did it, today they have a liter of petrol or diesel 10 cents cheaper than we do in Slovakia. Where is the cheap Russian oil when the Czechs and Poles have cheaper fuel than we do?” asked the opposition MP.
He considers it “out of character” to threaten Ukraine with stopping electricity supplies in the winter and for something caused by Russian bombing. According to him, it does not even make economic sense. “We sell them that electricity, we don’t donate it. The Poles, Hungarians, Romanians are very happy to sell that electricity for us from their network sources, which will punish the Prime Minister not only Ukrainians, but also Slovaks, that they won’t have money for the electricity we sell them,” argued Majerský.
Disputes about non-governmental organizations
In the discussion, the leader of the KDH also reminded that the prime minister is “at the throat” of non-governmental organizations, which often replace the state. He was reacting to the government’s decision on non-governmental controls. Drucker noted that the vast majority of the non-governmental sector does a good job, but any organization that handles public resources must also withstand scrutiny. According to him, the Ministry of Education already carries out ongoing checks, and he does not see anything extraordinary in the new regulation.
Changing the chairman in Hlas-SD is not a topic at the moment, said Drucker. “We also do politically demanding things that may take away points from us, but are important for citizens and go beyond the scope of one election period,” he emphasized. Majerský, on the other hand, repeated that he wants to bring the KDH back into parliament and into the government. At the same time, he admitted that Vice President Viliam Karas could also manage the movement. In connection with the topics opened by the opposition PS, Majerský declared that the KDH would not agree to the opening of the so-called Beneš decrees. He will also never join a government that would like to introduce the so-called marriages for all or registered partnerships. According to the leader of the movement, the Vatican treaties cannot be canceled or recognized either.
Regional elections and coalitions
In connection with this year’s municipal and regional elections, Majerský reminded that people circle people in them more directly, regardless of party affiliation. So far, the KDH has not concluded debates about what kind of coalitions they will build in individual regions. Drucker agrees that this election is more about personalities. “With our candidates, we will also apply for the support of other parties,” he said, adding that Hlas-SD will also support capable people in the regions.
