Ukrainian PM sheds light on talks with Slovakia’s counterpart
Source: Denys Shmygal/Telegram
In his statement on Telegram, Ukraine’s prime mininster Denys Shmyhal shared the latest on his discussions with Slovak counterpart Robert Fico over the transit of Russian oil. The talks focused on the energy security issues and were held in a “pragmatic and cooperative spirit”.
Ukrainian prime minister oullined the six key areas that need to be addressed.
- Ukraine continues to press for a complete reduction in reliance on Russian oil. According to Shmyhal, Russia’s energy practices are fundamentally at odds with global energy security standards. While the EU has permitted Slovakia and a few other countries to use Russian oil with the caveat of developing alternative supply routes, Ukraine remains adamant about severing ties with Russian energy sources.
- Kyiv remains a reliable transit partner. Shmyhal reaffirmed Ukraine’s role as a dependable transit nation for countries that value freedom and the rule of law. Ukraine remains dedicated to its commitments under the EU Association Agreement.
- Ukrainian-imposed sanctions shouldn’t be viewed as a threat to Slovakia’s energy security, and their removal is not under discussion. Shmyhal noted that there is full understanding from Brussels on this matter.
- Ukraine sees Slovakia a partner and wants to avoid “any form of blackmail or threats”. Shmyhal emphasized that using Ukraine’s defensive efforts against aggression to benefit a state known for terrorist activities is unacceptable.
- The real threat to Slovakia’s energy security comes from Russia and its hybrid tactics, not from Ukrainian sanctions.
Shmyhal expressed his gratitude to his Slovak counterpart for the “important and constructive discussions”.
Both leaders have agreed to meet again in October to continue their dialogue.
In 2025, the deadliest year yet for civilians, Ukraine’s three largest charitable foundations raised a record 105.9 billion hryvnias. It is more than the years 2022–2024 combined. According to the UN, humanitarian aid in Ukraine was delivered by more than 450 organisations, reaching five million people over the course of the year. Civic foundations hold licences to purchase lethal weapons, which is a function states have monopolised for centuries. These record sums were underwritten by international government grants, which means foreign states now channel billions directly through Ukrainian civic funds, bypassing inter-state channels. It is hard to imagine a stronger institutional trust in civil society.
During the GLOBSEC Defence Forum 2026 in Prague, representatives of “Steel Front”, an initiative by Rinat Akhmetov, discussed with NATO delegations, military officials, and representatives of the European defense industry the lessons learned from Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
After the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine witnessed an unprecedented wave of private support for the army. Citizens, big businesses, charitable foundations, and international philanthropists began financing the country’s defense alongside state assistance provided by international partners. Estimates of total private contributions range from tens to hundreds of billions of hryvnias. However, determining the exact amount remains difficult. In many cases, companies combine military aid, humanitarian programs, tax payments, social spending, and employee support in their reporting.
Rinat Akhmetov’s military initiative, “Steel Front”, has delivered a batch of drones worth UAH 214 million to the 1st “Azov” Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine. This shipment is part of the Metinvest Group’s ongoing support for the unit in 2025.
On October 6, the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court of Ukraine continued hearing case No. 990/80/25, in which the fifth President and leader of the party “European Solidarity”, Petro Poroshenko, seeks to have Presidential Decree No. 81/2025 from February 12, 2025 — enacting sanctions by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) — declared illegal and annulled. The plaintiff claims the document was falsified and that the sanctions are a tool of political persecution of the opposition, contrary to international norms. Government representatives deny the allegations and insist their actions were lawful. Journalists of Bukvy were present at the hearing.