Slovakia threatens to cut aid for Ukrainian refugees over gas row
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that his government is considering reciprocal measures against Ukraine after Kyiv stopped the flow of Russian natural gas that supplies Central Europe.
Kyiv has not yet responded to Fico’s statements, but earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky compared Fico’s efforts to maintain the gas transit agreement to Slovakia opening a second energy front against Ukraine, allegedly under Russia's orders.
Fico also warned that Slovakia might significantly reduce financial assistance to the more than 130,000 Ukrainian refugees residing in the country. This action would be part of a broader set of retaliatory measures against Kyiv for halting Russian gas transit through its territory to Slovakia. In December, Fico traveled to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and he has characterized Kyiv’s move as sabotage.
“On Tuesday, the government delegation will attend negotiations in Brussels, where Ukrainian officials had the audacity to complain about our readiness to take reciprocal measures, such as halting electricity supplies to Ukraine. Once the delegation returns from Brussels, I will convene the coalition council, followed by the government, to discuss appropriate responses to President Zelensky’s sabotage. We are ready to negotiate within the coalition to halt electricity supplies and drastically cut support for Ukrainian citizens living in Slovakia,” Fico stated.
At the same time, Fico assured that Slovakia would not face gas shortages, as the country has already secured alternative supply sources. Earlier, President Zelensky accused Fico of assisting Vladimir Putin in financing the war and undermining Ukraine. Zelensky argued that Fico’s insistence on continuing the gas transit agreement equates to opening a second energy front against Ukraine under Russian influence.
“We have reviewed the specifics of electricity imports from the European Union to Ukraine through Slovakia, which account for about 19% of the total volume. We are collaborating with neighboring EU countries. Our officials are working with the European Commission and all our European partners to maintain the stability of the unified European energy system and uphold European energy regulations,” Zelensky stated.
Meanwhile, Poland has offered to assist Kyiv if Slovakia suspends its electricity exports. Supplying Ukraine is crucial, as the country, under constant Russian attacks, has lost significant production capacity due to systematic assaults on its energy infrastructure. The Polish government described Ukraine’s decision to halt Russian gas transit as another victory against Moscow. The European Commission previously stated that the EU had prepared for such disruptions and that most member states are well-equipped to handle the cessation of Russian gas deliveries.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
