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Slovak PM blasts Ukraine's Lukoil sanctions as oil circulation stops

Slovakia will not be a hostage to UkraineRussia relations, its Prime Minister Robert Fico told his Ukrainian counterpart in a contact Saturday, after Kyiv put Russian group Lukoil on a sanctions list, leading to a. halt in deliveries.

Slovakia and Hungary said today they had actually stopped. getting oil from key provider Lukoil after Ukraine. enforced a ban last month on the transit of resources from the. Russian energy business through its territory.

For Slovakia, that suggested a loss in some supplies for its. Slovnaft refinery, which is owned by Hungarian oil and gas group. MOL.

Slovakia's government workplace stated on Saturday that Fico. spoke by telephone with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. and told him Slovakia did not intend to be a hostage of. Ukrainian-Russian relations.

Slovnaft will get 40% less oil for processing than. needed, the government stated, which will hit Slovak markets and. might also result in a stop of diesel products from Slovnaft. destined for Ukraine.

The addition of Lukoil on the sanctions list is just. another example of ridiculous sanctions that do not harm the. Russian Federation but mainly some (European Union) member. state, which is inappropriate, Fico's office said.

Fico has been a long-time critic of sanctions against Russia. and, after taking workplace for a fourth time last year, halted. direct state military help to Ukraine, raising criticism for. diverting foreign policy too near Moscow.

While the EU has actually imposed sanctions on Russian crude currently,. some nations like Slovakia have exemptions to have more time. to transition to alternative sources.

(source: Reuters)