Slovak PM Proposes Solution to Restore Oil Flows Amid Sanctions

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has proposed a technical solution to Ukraine for restoring oil flows from Lukoil, disrupted by recent sanctions. Slovakia and Hungary have been pressuring Ukraine to remove Lukoil from its sanctions list to prevent further disruptions in oil transit to their refineries.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on Monday that trading firms are considering a technical solution he proposed to Ukraine to reinstate oil flows from Russian group Lukoil, which were interrupted due to new sanctions.

Slovakia and Hungary have been urging Ukraine to reconsider its decision to place Lukoil on the sanctions list, a move that has halted some oil deliveries to Slovak and Hungarian refineries. Fico, via a video posted on Facebook, warned that Slovak refiner Slovnaft would have to stop diesel deliveries to Ukraine if the transit issue remains unresolved.

Fico's proposal appears to be aimed at finding a workaround that both respects the sanctions and resumes essential oil flows critical for regional refineries.