Slovakia
Slovakia unveiled its first CV9035SVK MkIV infantry fighting vehicle, becoming the eighth European operator country, including Ukraine. Bratislava ordered 152 units of this equipment for 1.68 billion euros.
MOL Group calls on Croatia to allow the transit of Russian oil, as Hungary and Slovakia have exemptions from EU sanctions. Supply problems have escalated after the Druzhba oil pipeline was shut down through Ukrainian territory.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban published a campaign video before the elections, featuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Orban made accusations.
Trump emphasized that he was aware of the mixed reactions in Europe to his stance, but this did not change his assessment of the Hungarian prime minister's performance.
European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen stated that Brussels is not pressuring Ukraine regarding the timeline for restoring the Druzhba oil pipeline. Oil from Russia is supplied to Hungary and Slovakia via this pipeline.
Hungary is considering halting electricity and gas exports to Ukraine if Kyiv does not resume the supply of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline. Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of delaying the resumption of supplies for political reasons.
MFA spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi commented on Budapest's provocations regarding the shutdown of the "Druzhba" oil pipeline.
Expert Serhiy Kuyun states that the cessation of diesel fuel supplies from Hungary and Slovakia is not critical for Ukraine. These supplies account for up to 10% of the market and can be easily replaced.
The Slovak company Slovnaft is temporarily suspending the export of diesel fuel to Ukraine and other types of exports. This decision was made after Hungary's announcement and due to the interruption of the Druzhba oil pipeline's operation in Ukraine.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced the cessation of diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine. This decision followed the suspension of oil transportation through the Druzhba pipeline.
Hungary and Slovakia have approached the European Commission regarding the possibility of purchasing Russian oil via sea routes. The Hungarian company MOL has already ordered the first batches, which are expected to arrive in early March.
The Slovak government has declared an emergency in the oil sector. This happened due to damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine, which led to the cessation of oil supplies.
The European Commission has confirmed contacts with Ukraine regarding the repair of the "Druzhba" oil pipeline, which is hindering the supply of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. These countries have 90-day reserve stocks, which eliminates short-term risks to supply security.
Slovakia is modernizing Cold War-era nuclear shelters, despite Prime Minister Fico's statements that there is no threat from Russia. An audit revealed the critical condition of most structures, and demand for private bunkers is growing.
Slovakia plans to acquire four more F-16V Block 70/72 Viper fighter jets to strengthen its air defense. This decision is related to the transfer of its entire fleet of MiG-29s to Ukraine.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković rejected Hungary's and Slovakia's request for Russian oil transit, accusing Budapest of manipulation. Hungary called Croatia an "unreliable transit country" seeking a monopoly.
Hungary and Slovakia have approached Croatia regarding the transportation of Russian oil via the Adriatic pipeline. This decision is due to the cessation of transit through the Ukrainian branch of the Druzhba oil pipeline after Russian attacks.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Slovakia, where he will meet with Prime Minister Robert Fico and President Peter Pellegrini. He will discuss US-Slovak relations, regional security, and nuclear energy.
Slovakia and Hungary have reported disruptions in oil supply via the Druzhba pipeline. Hungary blames Ukraine, while Ukraine denies the accusations, citing Russian attacks.
Secretary of State Rubio will hold talks with Hungary and Slovakia regarding the purchase of Russian energy. The visit to Hungary is bilateral, and the visit to Slovakia is a logical addition to the trip.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that Ukraine's plan to join the EU by 2027 is a "declaration of war" against Hungary. He called on Hungarians to stop these processes in the upcoming elections.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Hungary and Slovakia next week. The visit comes after Donald Trump endorsed Viktor Orban, who is trailing in the polls ahead of the elections.
Today, an additional 9 MW of capacity is planned to be launched in Kyiv. This will help stabilize the electricity supply after Russian attacks.
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini considers the transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine a mistake, as the country did not have a full replacement for them. He refuted claims that the aircraft were unusable.
The lower house of the Czech parliament rejected the opposition's proposal to dismiss the coalition led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. The attempt to declare a vote of no confidence garnered only 84 votes, allowing the current cabinet to remain in power.
The EU Council has approved a legal framework for providing Ukraine with financial support of 90 billion euros, with the exception of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia. The funds will be directed to budget support and defense needs, and the first payment is expected in early Q2.
In Kyiv, 63 teams are working on restoring power grids, and over 220 teams are restoring heat supply. NJSC "Naftogaz" is ready to provide another 40 teams of specialists.
The US Department of Justice has released millions of pages of documents from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, detailing his connections with influential figures, including Steve Bannon and Elon Musk. These files have caused political uproar and led to the resignations of high-ranking officials in various countries.
Slovak Prime Minister's advisor Miroslav Lajčák resigned after correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein was made public. Robert Fico accepted the resignation, defending Lajčák and criticizing the media.
The European Union plans to provide Ukraine with the first tranche of financial assistance within the framework of a new 90 billion euro loan package in April. This assistance is designed for 2026-2027, of which 60 billion euros will go to military needs, and 30 billion euros - to budget support.