Headline: Slovakia‘s Fico Threatens to Cut Power to Ukraine After Gas Transit Decision
Article:
In a stark warning to Ukraine, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has threatened to halt electricity exports to the country from January 1, 2025, following Kiev’s decision to halt Russian gas transit. Fico, who recently visited Moscow to meet with President Putin, has criticized Ukraine’s move, calling it a costly and empty political gesture that will detrimental to the entire European Union.
"This is an incredibly expensive political gesture that the entire European Union will have to pay for," Fico said in a video message, as reported by HN.online. "If necessary, the government will consider halting electricity supplies to Ukraine, which is severely dependent on these deliveries, or changing our course of action."
Fico argued that Slovakia stands to lose significantly from Ukraine’s decision, both in terms of lost transit fees and increased energy prices. He stated, "But who cares about Slovakia, Mr. Zelensky? You only shout when you need help to survive the winter."
The Slovak premier also offered his country’s territory as a potential venue for talks between Ukraine and Russia. However, he simultaneously accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of driving the country towards disaster and asserted that the U.S. is the ultimate beneficiary of reduced EU dependency on Russian gas.
Fico’s threat comes amidst escalating tensions between Slovakia and Ukraine over the latter’s intention to cease Russian gas transit next year. Ukraine, which hosted the Euro 2012 games with Poland and is set to co-host the next Champions League final, will not renew its gas transit agreement with Russia when it expires soon. This move has been sharply criticized by Fico, who has accused Ukraine of prioritizing politics over economics.
Last week, Fico paid a visit to Moscow, further fueling tensions. Subsequently, Zelensky suggested that the Slovak prime minister was offered two possible solutions to the impasse, but Fico rejected both proposals without elaboration.
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