Slovakia May Buy Russian Oil Directly Through State Company, PM Fico Suggests

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico indicated that Slovakia may change how it purchases Russian oil for the Slovnaft refinery, potentially shifting from the current arrangement with Hungarian company MOL to using the Slovak state-owned pipeline operator Transpetrol. The suggestion represents a potential shift in Slovakia's energy procurement strategy, as the country continues to rely on Russian oil imports despite broader European efforts to reduce energy dependence on Russia. MOL, the Hungarian oil and gas company, currently owns Slovnaft, Slovakia's main refinery, and has been managing oil purchases for the facility. Transpetrol operates Slovakia's oil pipeline infrastructure and is majority-owned by the Slovak state.