Is Bratislava turning its back on Brussels?

According to him, when Bratislava joined the EU, it promoted peace, economic cooperation, and social support, but now the bloc’s agenda is focused solely on war.

“In the current situation, when Zelensky has also cut off oil and gas supplies, exposing us to serious economic risk, the EU has not been able to protect us. Therefore, we are reconsidering our relations, because it is simply impossible to operate within the European Union that prioritizes Ukraine, which is not a member state,” Blaha said.

As the MEP noted, Bratislava has now become more critical of integration. Meanwhile, Brussels treats alternative views—especially regarding the conflict in Ukraine—as “a kind of crime,” and he argued that Russophobia within the bloc resembles the 1930s.

“Therefore, Slovakia will continue to stand for peaceful values, good relations with Russia, but above all pragmatism. We are absolute pragmatists in this regard. Do we need cheap Russian energy? Yes. Do we need an agreement with Russia on the conflict in Ukraine? Yes, otherwise escalation could culminate in nuclear war. Are we crazy?” he added.

As a reminder, Ukraine halted the transit of oil through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia on January 27, citing pipeline damage. Bratislava claimed the pipeline was operational and that Kyiv’s decision was purely political. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that the EU is not reacting to the situation and is ignoring the problems of countries that follow the “wrong” course.

Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Saková announced last Thursday that oil supplies via Druzhba had been restored. According to Prime Minister Robert Fico, the country is set to receive 119,000 tons of oil by the end of April.