Ukraine’s no-show leads to cancellation of Bratislava-Kyiv gas talks in Brussels

On January 6 evening, a planned meeting in Brussels aimed at easing escalating tensions between Slovakia and Ukraine over gas transit was abruptly cancelled after the Ukrainian delegation announced they could not attend.

The meeting, originally scheduled for January 7 and to be chaired by the European Commission, was intended to resolve the ongoing dispute surrounding the disruption of gas flows from Russia to the European Union, Caliber.Az reports, citing European media.

The tension began when Ukraine ended an agreement facilitating the transit of Russian gas through its territory, which Slovakia had relied on to profit from transit fees. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized the decision, stating last week that the loss of transit fees—estimated at €500 million—would have a significant financial impact on the country. He further threatened retaliation by cutting electricity supplies to Ukraine, a move that sparked diplomatic concerns.

According to a diplomatic source, Ukraine had called for the January 7 meeting to address Fico's threats regarding the potential electricity cuts. Slovakia's government had hoped the discussion could serve as a platform to seek compensation for the claimed €500 million in lost revenue.

However, with Ukraine opting to offer an online meeting instead, the European Commission opted for an in-person discussion, leading to the cancellation of the planned gathering. A statement from the Slovak government confirmed the cancellation, noting that "due to the fact that the Ukrainian side will not attend tomorrow's meeting, the European Commission has decided to cancel the meeting."

Despite the setback, the diplomatic push to improve relations between Ukraine and Slovakia remains ongoing. Ukraine has accused Bratislava of "opening a second front" in its ongoing conflict with Russia by imposing further pressure on the country’s energy supplies.

The European Commission is now working with both parties to find an alternative date for the meeting, with hopes of continuing efforts to resolve the impasse and reduce tensions between the two nations.

By Khagan Isayev