Zelenskyy: Ukraine offered compensation for Slovakia, but Fico refused
Photo: Volodymyr Zelensyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Ukraine offered compensation to Slovakia amid the suspension of Russian gas transit. However, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico rejected the proposal, according to the evening address of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The head of state emphasized that Ukraine is fighting for life, while Fico is fighting for money, "and hardly for Slovakia's benefit." According to Zelenskyy, shadow agreements with Russian President Vladimir Putin may involve trading national interests or working for personal gain.
"We offered him a proposal for potential compensation for Slovakia — specifically for Slovakia — for the losses from Russian gas transit, and alternatives for transit — any other gas, not Russian, at the request of the European Commission. We were ready to do that. Fico refused compensation for Slovakia. And he doesn't want to cooperate with the European Commission," Zelenskyy added.
In the opinion of the Ukrainian president, Fico finds it "more beneficial" in Moscow. And everyone in Europe understands the reason why.
Meeting between Zelenskyy and Fico
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Brussels, where he met with several European leaders.
In particular, the president held a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, assuring him that Ukraine would not continue the transit of Russian gas. Zelenskyy also clarified that the country is ready for the transit of other types of gas.
After the meeting, Fico claimed that Zelenskyy had allegedly offered him 500 million euros if "Slovakia supports Ukraine's NATO membership."
At the same time, on December 22, Fico visited Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
