All articles tagged with #slovakia
President Donald Trump nominated Kari Lake to be ambassador to Jamaica and Doug Mastriano to Slovakia, two former gubernatorial allies whose 2022 campaigns supported him. The nominations require Senate confirmation; Mastriano will remain a Pennsylvania state senator until confirmed, while Lake’s status at the U.S. Agency for Global Media remains unclear after a court ruled her tenure improper for lacking Senate confirmation.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski suggested a potential thaw in Poland–Slovakia ties if Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico unblocks EU aid to Ukraine and avoids a Russia‑friendly approach, even as Fico plans a Moscow visit for Victory Day. The remarks come amid strained Kyiv–Bratislava relations following the Druzhba pipeline issues, with Fico reiterating support for Ukraine’s EU bid. The situation unfolds as Hungary’s incoming leadership is expected to back EU aid to Ukraine, signaling cautious shifts in the region’s stance on the war.
Ukraine says it completed repairs on the Druzhba oil pipeline damaged by a Russian strike and that transit is ready to restart on April 22, with initial shipments split between Hungary and Slovakia. Zelensky framed the restart as clearing obstacles to Kyiv’s roughly 90 billion euro EU loan, which Hungary had blocked over transit issues; EU officials signaled a positive loan decision could come soon as the pipeline resumes, a move that would ease energy supply reliance for Hungary and Slovakia that depend heavily on Druzhba’s southern leg.
Lithuania and Latvia said they will not permit Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to fly through their airspace on his planned Moscow trip for Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, aligning with EU caution toward Kyiv’s war and signaling ongoing friction with Bratislava; Fico criticized the EU stance and vowed to find another route as he did last year, while Slovakia signaled it could veto new sanctions on Russia unless it receives assurances about the Druzhba pipeline.
Thousands gathered in Bratislava on April 14, 2026, to protest Prime Minister Fico’s plan to scrap absentee/mail voting for Slovaks abroad, with the rally organized by Progressive Slovakia in front of Parliament highlighting concerns over voting rights.
Ukraine accepted the EU’s offer of technical help and funding to repair the Druzhba oil pipeline and restore flows to Hungary and Slovakia, with EU experts available immediately and the Brody pumping station expected to be back online in about six weeks absent further Russian attacks. Kyiv also considers underground storage as a longer‑term solution and will pursue alternative non‑Russian crude routes; Hungary and Slovakia had accused Kyiv of supply restrictions amid tensions as the EU coordinates the response.
Slovakia has asked the EU to dispatch inspectors to verify Kyiv’s claim that Russia damaged the Druzhba oil pipeline supplying Slovakia and Hungary, as Bratislava and Budapest push back amid energy-security and funding tensions. The dispute coincides with Hungary blocking a €90 billion loan to Ukraine and EU ministers grappling over sanctions, while Ukraine has carried out a drone attack on a pumping station connected to the pipeline.
Bratislava halted emergency electricity supplies to Kyiv after Kyiv did not restore Druzhba oil transit, as Slovakia and Hungary pressed Kyiv on oil flows; Prime Minister Robert Fico warned of further measures, including reevaluating support for Ukraine’s EU bid. Ukraine condemned the move as blackmail as the Druzhba pipeline remains disrupted after a Russian drone attack, with Kyiv proposing alternative routes and ongoing repairs while Slovakia declares an oil emergency to secure domestic supply.
Slovakia is receiving BAE Systems’ CV9035 MkIV infantry fighting vehicles, featuring a 1,000-horsepower engine, 35mm Bushmaster III cannon, advanced fire control and protection systems, and anti-tank missiles; the program emphasizes upgradability and strong domestic industry participation (about 40% of contract value from roughly 30 Slovak suppliers).
Ukraine's foreign ministry condemned ultimatums by Hungary and Slovakia after they threatened to halt electricity and block Kyiv's €90 billion loan unless Russian oil flows via the Druzhba pipeline are restarted; both neighbours rely on the pipeline and accuse Kyiv of delays. The dispute comes as Russia continues strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and Zelensky urges a new leaders' meeting to end the war.
Ukraine condemned Hungary and Slovakia for “blackmail” after they threatened to cut electricity unless Kyiv restarts Russian oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline, damaged by a Russian attack. Kyiv says it may trigger emergency energy measures under the EU association and has proposed alternative routes while the EU coordinates a response, as the standoff deepens a broader energy crisis.
USA defeated Slovakia 6-2 to reach the Olympic gold medal game, but a skirmish involving Matthew and Brady Tkachuk and Erik Cernak spilled into the hallway after the game; Martin Fehervary punched Brady and Slovakia criticized the Tkachuks as the U.S. prepares to face Canada for gold while Slovakia takes on Finland for bronze.
Finland captured its fifth Olympic medal in six Games by steamrolling Slovakia 6-1 to win bronze in Milan, capping a resilient run after a near-miss in the semifinals; Slovakia, the tournament’s youngest team with limited NHL players, finished fourth. The Finns did it without stars Mikko Rantanen and Aleksander Barkov, highlighting Finland’s depth and the grit—“sisu”—that keeps delivering Olympic hardware.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said he would cut Ukraine's emergency electricity supply unless Kyiv restarts Russian oil shipments, accusing Kyiv and the West over Nord Stream tensions. The move underscores Slovakia's role as a key electricity supplier to Ukraine and follows Hungary's blocking of a related EU loan amid shared energy ties to Moscow.
In Milan, the United States crushed Slovakia 6-2 in the Olympic men’s hockey semifinal, led by Jack Hughes’s two goals and a 22-save performance from Connor Hellebuyck, setting up a gold-medal game against Canada.