Ukrainian National Power System Operator „Ukrenergo“ said yesterday that a possible refusal by Slovakia to continue emergency power supplies to Ukraine if needed would not have an effect on the country's power system, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
„The probable shutdown of emergency power supplies from Slovakia will in no way affect the situation in Ukraine's unified power system“, the state-owned power transmission operator said in a statement.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said yesterday that his country's power grid operator would refuse all Ukrainian requests for emergency supplies until oil pipeline transportation is resumed “Druzhba“, which runs from Russia through Ukraine to Central Europe.
“Ukrenergo“ said Ukraine last requested emergency supplies from Slovakia more than a month ago, and in small quantities. “In general, emergency assistance from Slovakia is a rare occurrence. These are short-term supplies,“ the statement said.
Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia via the “Druzhba“ pipeline have been interrupted since January 27, when Kiev announced that a Russian drone had hit oil pipeline equipment in western Ukraine.
Fico made his statement after European ministers failed to persuade Slovakia and neighboring Hungary to withdraw their threats of retaliatory measures against Ukraine for the delay in resuming supplies.