Ukraine Accuses Slovakia of Energy Hostility

By Max Hunder

(Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico on Saturday of opening a "second energy front" against Ukraine on the orders of Russia, deepening a gas transit dispute between the two countries.

Ukraine currently pumps Russian natural gas through its territory to several European countries, including Slovakia, but plans to halt the flow when the existing transit deal, signed before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, expires at the end of the year.

Fico, who visited Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier this week, stated on Friday that Slovakia might consider reciprocal measures against Ukraine, like stopping back-up electricity supplies if Kyiv halts gas transit from January 1.

Zelenskiy claimed, "It appears that Putin gave Fico the order to open the second energy front against Ukraine, compromising the Slovak people's interests," via the X social media platform.

Slovakia intends to keep receiving Russian gas supplies through Ukraine, noting that alternative routes would increase costs and negatively impact its own transit operations, leading to a potential loss of 500 million euros in fees.

Ukraine has declared it will not sign any new gas transit agreement with Moscow due to the invasion initiated by Russia in February 2022.

Since late 2022, Ukraine has had to import electricity from several neighboring countries as Russia has attacked its power grid, damaging or destroying much of the nation’s non-nuclear generation capacity.

Zelenskiy noted that Slovakia currently accounts for 19% of Ukraine’s power imports and that Ukraine is collaborating with its EU neighbors to enhance supply.

He emphasized, "Slovakia is part of the single European energy market, and Fico must respect common European rules," warning that cutting power supplies to Ukraine would deprive Slovakia of $200 million annually.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry stated that Fico is siding with Putin by making "senseless threats" to cut Ukraine's power imports.

Since taking office in 2023, Fico has been one of the EU's most vocal opponents of military aid to Ukraine. After his discussions in Moscow, Fico said Putin confirmed Russia's willingness to continue supplying gas to Slovakia, although he acknowledged that this would be "practically impossible" once the transit deal expires.