Slovakia is among the few countries still dependent on Russian gas, and the country has warned of possible financial damage.
Slovakia may consider similar measures against Ukraine if Kyiv does not allow gas shipments from Russia to Europe. This was said by the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, Bloomberg reports on Friday, December 20.
Fico said he was surprised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s refusal to allow transit after the two leaders spoke at a summit in Brussels. Zelensky said that Ukraine will not transport gas originating from Russia unless he has guarantees that the Kremlin will not benefit financially while the war continues.
Therefore, Russian gas importers have few options to keep the route open. Slovakia proposed some alternatives, such as changing the owner of the gas before it reaches Ukrainian territory, but Zelensky rejected the initiative, calling it “games,” Fico complained to reporters.
Slovakia is among the few countries still dependent on Russian gas, and the country has warned of possible financial damage.
Fico expressed doubt that Ukraine “has the right to harm the economic and national interests of an individual EU member state” under such circumstances.
He added that if Kyiv does not allow gas transit, the head of government will consider by Christmas whether to take retaliatory measures against Ukraine.
Currently, Slovakia sends electricity, humanitarian aid and private supplies of weapons, including ammunition, to Ukraine. At the same time, the Fico government is trying to maintain close relations with Moscow and criticizes the participation of the United States and most European Union countries in the war through military support for Ukraine.
Let’s remember that the other day Zelensky said that Ukraine is ready to transit gas to European countries if it is not gas of Russian origin.
As you know, this year the contract for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine, signed between Naftogaz And Gazprom. Ukraine will not continue the agreement.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.