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Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico on Monday invited the Ukrainian leader for discussions on Russian gas transit issue
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has given a mean-spirited reply to an offer by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to hold constructive discussions on the critical Russian gas transit issue.
Kiev decided to terminate the transit of Russian natural gas through its territory to the EU on the last day of 2024, effectively cutting off the flow to some countries in the bloc, including Austria, Italy, and Slovakia. The move has sparked a row in Brussels, with Fico warning that he would veto EU-wide initiatives on assisting Ukraine, and would also take individual action against Kiev.
On Monday, Fico published an open letter to Zelensky on Facebook, proposing to meet and discuss the gas transit issue. In the letter, the Slovak PM suggested the meeting could take place on the territory of Slovakia near its border with Ukraine.
”Allow me to invite you to negotiations, preferably as soon as possible,” Fico wrote to Zelensky in the post, adding that Bratislava would like to continue a constructive dialogue based on mutual respect.
In a short message on X, Zelensky replied: “Ok. Come to Kyiv on Friday,” adding a screenshot of Fico’s letter.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 13, 2025
Kiev’s decision to halt the transit of Russian gas through pipelines crossing Ukraine has sparked a row, particularly with Slovakia, which has been heavily reliant on the supply route for its energy needs.
Fico has previously accused Zelensky of “sabotaging the financial interests of Slovakia and the EU,” saying the transit stoppage could trigger an energy crisis across the bloc and result in some €70 billion ($72 billion) worth of damage.
The Slovak PM has demanded compensation from Kiev, and has vowed to retaliate, potentially by cutting off electricity supplies and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Zelensky claimed that by refusing to extend the gas contract with Russian energy giant Gazprom, Kiev was aiming to eliminate Moscow’s profits.
Earlier this week, Fico admitted he has occasionally become “sick” of Zelensky, stating he was not “here to hold hands” with the Ukrainian leader. “He roams Europe begging and blackmailing, asking others for money,” Fico told the Slovak parliament’s foreign affairs committee. “This needs to stop.”
Slovakia has still been receiving Russian gas via the TurkStream pipeline, which delivers natural gas from Russia to Türkiye and runs under the Black Sea. The route is used by several nations in southern Europe to get their supply from Russia.
On Monday, Moscow accused Kiev of an attempted drone attack on a key gas compressor station in Russia’s Krasnodar Region which is crucial for the operation of the pipeline. Commenting on the foiled attack, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Ukraine is continuing with its policy of “energy terrorism.”
