Ukraine urges European Commission to act on Fico's electricity threats
Photo: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Slovakia is part of the single European energy market. Therefore, Ukraine is urging the European Commission to respond to the blackmail by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico regarding the suspension of electricity supplies, states the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminded Fico that Slovakia's supply of critical volumes of electricity to Ukraine is not charity, and Ukraine pays substantial sums for it.
The ministry emphasized that Ukraine has always been self-sufficient in electricity production, but is now sometimes forced to import it. The reason for this is solely Russian crimes — the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, constant and targeted missile strikes on civilian infrastructure, the energy system, generation facilities, and distribution networks.
"With his senseless threats to cut off electricity to Ukraine, which it buys and does not receive as a gift, Prime Minister Robert Fico is effectively siding with the Russian dictator. Currently, these are the only two figures in the world who are threatening to leave Ukrainians without power this winter," the statement reads.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs adds that Fico's collaboration with Putin is also evidenced by the Slovak Prime Minister's actual admission of his desire to push American and other energy supplies out of the European market to maintain dependence on Russia.
Ukraine, for its part, is asking the European Commission to respond to Fico's threats.
"We remind you that Slovakia is part of the single European energy market and must adhere to common European rules. We call on the European Commission, in cooperation with ENTSO-E (the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity), to respond to the Slovak threats of arbitrary decisions," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
Energy blackmail by Fico
Earlier, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that he might halt electricity supplies to Ukraine. He made this statement in response to Ukraine's refusal to continue the transit of Russian gas, which Slovakia depends on.
In December, Fico visited Moscow to meet with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. However, this did not change the situation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Fico's blackmail. He reminded that Ukraine pays Slovakia for the import of electricity. Moreover, the president pointed out that the actions of the Slovak Prime Minister could be dictated by orders from Moscow.
RBC-Ukraine, citing experts and industry sources, noted that Fico's statements will not impact Ukraine's energy supply.
