Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár says Slovakia is ready to support an EU loan of €90 billion for Ukraine. At the same time, Bratislava may block the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia.
Denník N reports this.
Bratislava’s position
Blanár said Slovakia ties its possible approval of new sanctions on Russia to several conditions. In particular, it demands clear guarantees on restoring the operation of the “Druzhba” oil pipeline, which Russia damaged earlier.
Slovak officials have repeatedly stated that they will support sanctions only if they do not harm the country’s economic interests.
At the same time, the foreign minister stressed that these conditions do not apply to the EU loan for Ukraine. Slovakia does not plan to block that package.
He also pointed to a changing political balance in the EU after the elections in Hungary, suggesting that the new leadership in Budapest could help unlock the financial package.
Orban accused of “migration scheme” with Fico
Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar claimed that Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government may have deliberately directed migrants toward the Slovak border in order to influence the election environment and strengthen Robert Fico’s position.
The allegations triggered a political scandal in Slovakia and strong reactions from the opposition. Opposition groups called for possible legal action and demanded official explanations from the government.
However, Slovakia’s Interior Ministry rejected the claims, saying the country faced a record inflow of around 60,000 illegal migrants in 2022–2023.
Context
EU financial assistance for Ukraine worth €90 billion received political approval in December 2025. However, final approval requires unanimous consent from all EU member states.
Hungary has been the only country blocking the decision. Budapest says it will not support the package unless Ukraine restores oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar called for a shift in Hungary’s policy toward Ukraine, urging a move away from the confrontational approach of the ruling Fidesz party.
