Slovakia's gas ultimatum: Fico threatens Ukraine amid tensions
The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, threatened Ukraine on Friday with cutting off electricity supplies if Kyiv follows through with 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 the transit of Russian gas, "after Jan. 1, we will assess the situation and the possibilities of reciprocal measures against Ukraine," announced Fico in a video recording that he released online on Friday afternoon. - If necessary, we will stop the supply of electricity, which is desperately needed by Ukraine during power outages – he warned.
In the same statement, the Prime Minister argued that Slovakia is the appropriate country to organise any peace negotiations regarding the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. - If someone wants to organize peace talks in Slovakia, we will be ready and hospitable, said Fico. He added that he also discussed this topic with Vladimir Putin and is pleased with his positive reaction.
In his speech for the upcoming New Year, Fico also criticised the actions and declarations of the President of Ukraine, who - according to him - rejects the proposed ceasefire. He stated that Volodymyr Zelenskyy is dragging all of Ukraine into a catastrophe. - The negotiating position of Ukraine is becoming increasingly worse with each passing day and Ukraine will pay for this Western adventure an enormous price in the form of loss of land and the presence of foreign militaries – summarised the Prime Minister of Slovakia.
He also announced that in January, he would make an official visit to Turkey, and in February, he will meet with the Pope in the Vatican, where he will aim to address the military conflict in Ukraine.
Ukraine, which has been repelling large-scale Russian military aggression since February 2022, announced that it does not plan to extend the contract for transporting Russian gas through its territory to Europe.
Fico like Orban
Last Sunday, Robert Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. The meeting's topics included gas supplies. Fico is the only leader of an EU country - aside from Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban - who maintains contacts with Putin despite Russia's assault on Ukraine.
A few days earlier, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, announced that he would not agree to further transit of Russian gas through his country to Slovakia, as the current agreement expires at the end of the year. He added that Kyiv could consider the transit if Russia receives payments only after the end of the war.
