Czechia ready to help Slovakia after cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine
Illustrative photo: Czechia may help Slovakia with gas supplies (Getty Images)
Czechia is ready to help Slovakia ensure stable gas supplies. Prague can offer this assistance once Ukraine halts the transit of Russian gas, states the Czech Minister of Industry, Lukas Vlcek, according to Reuters.
Vlcek sent a letter to his Slovak counterpart, emphasizing Czechia's readiness to provide additional capacity for gas transit and storage, both during this heating season and on a long-term basis.
According to the minister, alternative supplies to the region will become more accessible after Germany agreed to lift the transit fee for neighboring countries.
Ukraine will halt gas transit
Ukraine and Russia signed a contract before the full-scale war, which provided for the transit of Russian gas through Ukrainian territory. The contract expires tomorrow, December 31.
Against this backdrop, Slovakia attempted to convince Ukraine to extend the contract. Specifically, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
After Ukraine refused to continue the transit of Russian gas, the Slovak government head resorted to threats. In particular, he suggested that Slovakia might halt electricity exports to Ukraine, especially considering the significant damage to Ukraine’s energy system from constant Russian attacks.
