Slovak PM chooses softer tone in relation to Ukrainian people

Slovak authorities will not halt electricity supplies to Ukraine or cease providing humanitarian aid, even after the transit of Russian gas through the country's gas transmission system comes to an end.

This was stated by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico during a meeting with the diplomatic corps accredited in the country, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

"I believe this issue would affect the people of Ukraine, and we do not want that," he is reported to have said.

Fico also emphasized that such a measure would lead to an even greater humanitarian and energy crisis in Ukraine and would significantly impact the quality of life for ordinary Slovak citizens. 

As Caliber.Az recalls, the change in tone comes after he only recently called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy an "enemy" of Slovakia when discussing the Russian gas matter at a session of the Slovak Parliament’s Economic Committee. It was the latest in his increasingly harsh rhetoric against Ukraine following Ukraine’s decision to halt the transit of Russian gas at the start of 2025. He has equally been a stark opponent of continuing military aid to Ukraine, calling for parties to find a solution behind the negotiation table rather than the battlefield.

By Nazrin Sadigova