Slovak PM's energy warnings stir new tensions with Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelensky reacted to threats from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. "It appears that Putin gave Fico the order to open the second energy front against Ukraine at the expense of the Slovak people’s interests," wrote the Ukrainian president. He then addressed Fico directly.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened on Friday to cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine if Kyiv follows through on its announcement to halt the transit of Russian gas to Slovakia after the New Year. He also declared that Slovakia could host peace negotiations in the "Ukrainian-Russian conflict."
"If Kyiv stops transiting Russian gas after 1 January, we will consider the situation and the possibility of taking reciprocal measures against Ukraine," Fico announced in a video posted online on Friday afternoon. If it becomes unavoidable, we will halt electricity supplies, which Ukraine urgently needs during network outages," he added.
There is a reaction from Ukraine
"It appears that Putin gave Fico the order to open the second energy front against Ukraine at the expense of the Slovak people’s interests. Fico's threats to cut off Ukraine's emergency power supply this winter while Russia attacks our power plants and energy grid can only be explained by this," wrote Volodymyr Zelensky.
"The only reasons Ukraine now needs to import electricity are Russia's occupation of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and its use of missiles and "Shahed" drones to purposefully destroy a large portion of Ukraine's heat and hydroelectric power generation," the Ukrainian president continued.
"Thanks to the heroic efforts of our energy workers and the life-saving cooperation with the EU, the U.S., the UK, Norway, Japan, and other partners we have managed to prevent a blackout in Ukraine. And now Fico is dragging Slovakia into Russia's attempts to cause more suffering for Ukrainians," Zelensky writes.
Zelensky addressed Fico
He addressed Fico, as he wrote, to remind him of three things.
"First and foremost, supporting Russian aggression is completely immoral. Second, Fico's shortsighted policy has already deprived the Slovak people of compensation for losing Russian gas transit. It now risks depriving the Slovaks of another $200 million per year, which Ukraine pays for the imported electricity. Yes, this critical import does not come free, and the cost is significant. Third, everyone in Europe, including the people of Slovakia, will find it much more profitable from every perspective to work with neighbours and the EU to increase Europe's energy resource supply, including gas from America and other partners. Only this can reduce energy costs for the majority of families." Volodymyr Zelensky argued.
