Slovakia urges Ukraine to stop attacking vital energy infrastructures

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar urged Ukraine to refrain from attacks on the Druzhba oil pipeline, saying that such attacks will harm both Slovakia and Ukraine itself, local media reported on Tuesday, reported Xinhua

Blanar made the remarks during phone calls with Ukrainian senior officials, including a Sunday call with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, and on Monday with Taras Kachka, Ukraine's deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, according to the News Agency of the Slovak Republic.

Blanar informed them about a joint letter sent to the European Commission by Slovakia and Hungary, which called on the European Commission to adhere to commitments related to the energy supply security of EU member countries. The minister noted that both Ukrainian officials assured him of discussions on a constructive approach and thanked Slovakia for the assistance provided since the military conflict broke out between Ukraine and Russia.

On Aug. 18, Ukraine confirmed its forces carried out an overnight strike on the Nikolskoe oil pumping station in Russia's Tambov region. The attack caused a halt in crude oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia.

In a Facebook post on Aug. 22, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto denounced the attack as "a direct assault on the country's energy security" and "an attempt to drag Hungary into the war," adding that Hungary would continue to support peace efforts with all its strength while safeguarding its national interests.