Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Slovakia’s government office stated that PM Robert Fico will discuss the halt of Russian gas transit via Ukraine with the EU Commission on 9 January in Brussels.
He would discuss the consequences of the recently ended Russian gas transit via Ukraine. This follows a January 1 move by Ukraine to cease gas flows, which might pose serious threats to Slovakia and other EU countries relying on Russia for energy.
It has been officially stated that the European Commission is clear in its stand on the termination of Russian gas transit via Ukraine, which came into effect on January 1, 2025. In the briefing on January 6, 2025, European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen stated that the EU’s energy market is stable and there are no security supply concerns for the European Union.
How does Fico see the gas halt?
Fico has also cautioned that such an interruption would be “dramatic” for the European Union, putting pressure on high energy prices as well as bringing a loss for Slovakia, some €500 million in transit fees every year. The meeting intends to discuss possible mechanisms of compensation or alternative options for reducing damage caused by interrupting gas transport. The discussions come amid heightened tensions between Slovakia and Ukraine, particularly after Fico threatened retaliatory measures against Ukraine, including cuts to electricity supplies.
How did Zelensky respond to Fico’s pro-Russian policies?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply reacted to pro-Russian energy policies pursued by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, calling this fact the “big security issue” not only for Slovakia but for Europe as a whole. On Friday, Zelensky said this after Fico met with Putin in Moscow to discuss gas supplies.
