Fico wants to convince Ukraine to preserve oil and gas transit from Russia
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (photo: Getty Images)
To date, Slovakia continues to receive gas and oil from Russia in transit through Ukraine. However, problems may begin in 2025, states Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
“Gas and oil are coming in the required volumes as planned. Negotiations are very intense. But I do not rule out that we may get into a period in early 2025 when there will be such problems,” he said.
Fico noted that at a joint meeting of the governments of Slovakia and Ukraine on Monday, October 7, he wants to convince the Ukrainian side of the need to maintain energy transit through our country.
“We want to ensure that Ukraine is convinced of the need for transit. Both Ukraine and Slovakia have built energy infrastructure for oil and gas transit,” he added.
The Prime Minister also believes that those who want to keep their sanity will not be able to stop the transit. Fico then reiterated that the Slovak side would persuade Ukrainian partners to use their energy infrastructure to import gas and oil to Western Europe. In addition, he said, Ukraine itself will need this infrastructure.
“Ukraine, for example, says that it has its own gas reserves and that in the short term, it can use it not only for domestic consumption but also for export to the West. But they can only get gas there through the existing infrastructure. If they want to preserve this infrastructure, they have to use it,” Fico emphasized.
He said that Slovakia supports Ukraine in its accession to the EU and expects the country to “behave in a normal and reasonable manner in this regard.” The prime minister added that it would be unwise not to use the existing energy transit infrastructure.
“Both Slovakia and Ukraine will benefit from this, as transit fees are paid,” he said.
