Feb 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine's national power company said on Monday that any refusal by Slovakia to extend emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine on demand would have no effect on the country's
Ukrenergo Says Slovakia's Power Halt Won't Disrupt Ukraine's Grid
Slovakia’s Emergency Power Halt and Ukraine’s Response
Feb 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine's national power company said on Monday that any refusal by Slovakia to extend emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine on demand would have no effect on the country's power system.
"The likely halt to emergency electricity supply from Slovakia will in no way affect the situation in Ukraine's unified power system," Ukrenergo said in a statement.
Fico Ties Electricity Aid to Druzhba Oil Transit
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Monday his country's power grid operator would refuse any Ukrainian requests for emergency supplies until oil flows resume via the Druzhba pipeline, which runs from Russia through Ukraine to Central Europe.
Ukrenergo: Requests Were Rare and Small
Ukrenergo said Ukraine had last sought emergency supplies from Slovakia more than a month ago and in small volumes.
"In general, emergency assistance from Slovakia has been a rare occurrence. At issue are short-term supplies," it said.
Oil Shipments Cut After Jan. 27 Drone Strike
Shipments of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba have been cut off since January 27, when Kyiv said a Russian drone strike hit pipeline equipment in Western Ukraine.
EU Mediation and Regional Tensions
Fico made his announcement as European ministers were unable to persuade Slovakia and its neighbour Hungary to drop threats of retaliatory action against Ukraine for delays in resuming flows.
Reporting by Ron Popeski
(Reporting by Ron Popeski)
