Slovakia warns Ukraine: Gas transit halt could lead to power cut
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened Ukraine on Friday with cutting off electricity supplies if Kyiv proceeds with its announcement to stop the transit of Russian gas to Slovakia after the New Year. He also offered Slovakia as a potential host for peace negotiations in the "Ukrainian-Russian conflict."
If Kyiv halts the transit of Russian gas, “after Jan. 1, we will assess the situation and the possibilities of reciprocal measures against Ukraine," Fico stated in a video published online 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 well-suited to organize any peace negotiations regarding the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. "If someone wants to organize peace talks in Slovakia, we will be ready and hospitable," Fico said. He added that he discussed this with Vladimir Putin and is pleased with his positive reaction.
In his speech on the occasion of the upcoming New Year, Fico also spoke critically about the actions and statements of the Ukrainian President, who, as he announced, rejects the proposed ceasefire. According to him, Volodymyr Zelensky is dragging all of Ukraine into 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," summarized the Slovak Prime Minister.
He also announced that in January, he will make an official visit to Turkey, and in February, he will meet with the Pope in the Vatican, where he will make efforts aimed at resolving the war conflict in Ukraine.
Ukraine, which has been repelling a large-scale Russian military aggression since February 2022, announced that it does not plan to extend the contract for the transport of 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 EU country leader, apart from Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains contact with Putin despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
A few days earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he would not agree to further transit of Russian gas through his country to Slovakia, as the current agreement would expire at the end of the year. He added that Kyiv might consider transit if Russia receives payments only after the war concludes.
