Slovak PM invites Zelenskyy for border meeting to discuss gas transit halt
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo: Getty Images)
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a meeting. The meeting is reportedly to take place near the Ukrainian-Slovak border, Fico posted the invitation on his Facebook page.
According to Fico, during the meeting, he wants to discuss the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukrainian territory. He believes the meeting should take place "preferably as soon as possible" on Slovak territory near the state border with Ukraine.
Fico stated that the negotiations would allegedly create good preconditions for an open discussion on gas supplies to Slovakia and other countries via Ukraine, taking into account the expiration of the contract between the respective Ukrainian and Russian companies on December 31, 2024. Additionally, they will discuss the impact of halting gas transit through Ukraine on the competitiveness of the European economy and the development of bilateral Slovak-Ukrainian relations.
"In all my foreign trips, I emphasize the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, support existing peace plans, and propose that peace negotiations at any level also take place in Slovakia," said the Slovak politician.
Halting Russian gas transit through Ukraine
On January 1 of this year, the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to Europe and Moldova was stopped. This was due to the expiration of the contract between Naftogaz and Gazprom.
Although Slovakia has acknowledged that halting gas transit from Russia through Ukrainian territory will not cause a gas shortage, Fico has made several statements openly threatening Ukraine.
According to him, Slovakia could not only halt electricity exports to Ukraine but also significantly reduce assistance to Ukrainian refugees. Interestingly, shortly before making these threats, Fico admitted that he had secured gas supplies for Slovakia during a trip to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Fico prioritizes Moscow’s politics over Slovakia’s interests.
"It’s good that Slovak Prime Minister Fico has finally returned from his vacation at a luxury hotel in Vietnam and is now in Bratislava. It’s probably not easy for him personally — switching from indulgence to trying to fix his own mistakes," the president remarked.
