Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised what he said was Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s lack of desire to end his country’s dependency on Russian natural resources as a “big security issue” for Europe and Slovakia.
Zelenskiy made the comments on December 23 after Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow a day earlier, according to Reuters. Fico said the meeting was in response to talks with Zelensky, whom he accused of opposing any gas transit through Ukraine to his country.
“His key goal is to deal with Russia, and this is what benefits him. This is indeed a big security issue – both for Slovakia and the entire Europe,” Zelensky said on X.
“Why is this leader so dependent on Moscow? What is being paid to him, and what does he pay with?,” he added.
Ukraine has repeatedly said it would not extend a deal for gas transit from Russia to Europe, which expires on January 1. Payments for the gas have helped Russia to wage its almost three-year war in Ukraine, Kyiv has said.
The flow through Ukraine accounts for around half of Russia’s total pipeline gas exports to Europe. Slovakia, Italy, Austria and the Czech Republic were likely to be the most affected if it ended.
Slovakia, which has a long-term contract with Russia’s energy giant Gazprom, has been trying to maintain gas receipt through Ukraine, saying buying elsewhere would cost it around €220 million more in transit expenses.
Zelensky said Moscow was providing significant discounts for Fico but added that Slovakia was paying for them by its sovereignty or via “murky schemes”. He gave no further details.
“This should be a matter of concern for Slovakia’s law enforcement and special services,” he added.
Slovakia’s Government office could not be immediately reached for comment and did not immediately reply to emailed questions.
The Ukrainian leader said the issue was raised at a meeting of European leaders in Brussels la few days ago. Fico has refused compensation to ease the transition period and get rid of dependence on Russian gas, Zelensky added.
“[Fico] wants to assist Russia in pushing American gas and energy resources of other partners away from Europe, implying that he wants to help Putin earn money to fund the war and weaken Europe,” he added.
Fico said on December 22 that Putin had confirmed Russia’s willingness to continue to supply gas to Slovakia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he could not provide more details.
