PM Slovakia Accuses Ukraine of Harming National Interests After Gas Transits Halted
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has voiced his discontent with Ukraine after the country’s decision not to renew the agreement on the transit of Russian gas, which expired at the end of 2024. Despite the setback, Fico assured that internal gas supplies for Slovakia have been secured, with no price increase.
However, Fico is pushing back against Ukraine, accusing it of inflicting damages on Slovakia. He has threatened to retaliate by halting electricity supplies to Ukraine and potentially reducing support for Ukrainian refugees. The Premier, however, did not provide further details on gas supply arrangements.
According to Eustream, the Slovak operator of the gas transport network, the country continues to receive gas supplies from Hungary. This supply route significantly relies on Russian gas transported via the "Turkish Stream" pipeline.
Fico estimated that the halt in Ukrainian gas transits has cost Slovakia around 500 million Euros in transit fees and an additional 1 billion Euros due to higher gas prices. He blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for sabotaging Slovakia’s and the entire EU’s financial interests, reprisal for not renewing the gas transit deal.
Fico is scheduled to meet with European Commission representatives in Brussels on January 9 to discuss the implications of the cessation of Russian gas transits through Ukraine.
In response, President Zelensky has accused Fico of opening a "second energy front" against Ukraine on Russia‘s orders. Tensions between the two nations, historically close, continue to rise as the broader geopolitical landscape evolves.
