Slovak PM says he'll do everything possible to open EU's eyes on energy crisis

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has revealed that his visit to Russia at the end of December was prompted by Ukraine’s decision to stop the transit of Russian gas after 2024.

Fico made this statement during an address on January 8, Caliber.Az reports via Slovak media.

Fico continued to accuse Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of "sabotaging the financial interests of Slovakia and the EU" by refusing to extend the gas transit agreement. He confirmed that he would meet with European Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen in Brussels on January 9, and emphasized, "I will do everything possible to wake him up from his sweet dream."

"Neither Slovakia nor the EU is at war, we have no reason to tolerate Zelenskyy's adventures, especially considering the assistance Slovakia and the EU are giving to Ukraine," the Slovak Prime Minister said, underscoring his discontent with Ukraine’s stance.

Reflecting on his controversial trip to Moscow, Fico explained that the visit was necessary due to Ukraine’s decision on gas transit. "I needed to secure at least gas for Slovakia's domestic consumption, which we did, even without raising gas prices," he stated, although he did not specify how this gas was secured.

The contract between Ukraine and Russia for gas transit to Europe expired at the end of 2024 after Ukraine opted not to renew it. Fico sharply criticized Ukraine's actions, sending a letter to EU leaders to express his displeasure and warning that Slovakia might cut electricity supplies or reduce aid to Ukrainian refugees as a response.

Fico added that Zelenskyy’s unilateral decision was causing significant financial harm to Slovakia and the EU, with losses estimated at €500 million in transit fees and €1 billion in higher gas prices for Slovakia. The EU as a whole could suffer damages amounting to approximately €70 billion.

In a related development, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó also condemned Ukraine’s termination of gas transit, calling it unacceptable and arguing that the move contradicted Ukraine’s goal of joining the EU.

By Tamilla Hasanova