Slovak PM's gas threat to Ukraine sparks Zelensky's ire
Volodymyr Zelensky responded 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 proceeds with its plan to halt the transit of Russian gas to his country after the New Year. He also suggested that Slovakia could host peace negotiations in the "Ukrainian-Russian conflict."
If Kyiv stops the transit of Russian gas, "after January 1, we will assess the situation and the possibilities of reciprocal measures against Ukraine," Fico announced in a video he posted online on Friday afternoon. "If it is unavoidable, we will halt the electricity supplies that Ukraine needs during grid outages. Or we will agree on a different course of action," 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 Ukrainian president continued that the only reason Ukraine now has to import electricity is Russia's seizure of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and its deliberate use of missiles and Shahed drones to destroy a large part of Ukraine's thermal and hydroelectric power plants.
Zelensky wrote that "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 addressed Fico
He addressed Fico, as he wrote, to remind him of three key points.
"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 neighbors 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.
