The Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico has intensified his threats towards Ukraine due to the halt of gas transit from the Russian Federation.
The politician's statement on this matter is quoted by the portal Teraz.sk.
Zelensky described Fico's blackmail as an attempt to open an energy front against Ukraine
Zelensky believes that Fico's threats to cut off emergency electricity supplies to Kyiv in light of Russian strikes indicate that Putin has ordered the opening of a second energy front against Ukraine.
Fico claims that the Slovak government may cease all humanitarian aid to Ukraine, decide on significant reductions or complete cancellation of benefits for Ukrainian military refugees, and also stop electricity supplies.
Additionally, he threatened to use his veto right on decisions in the European Union concerning Ukraine, stating that he would only take these steps if Bratislava "has no other choice."
Fico also asserts that Slovakia was close to reaching an agreement to extend gas transit through Ukraine, which is why President Volodymyr Zelensky's December announcement that Ukraine would halt transit "greatly surprised" him.
It is worth noting that the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine was completely halted on the morning of January 1. Zelensky referred to this event as one of the major defeats for Moscow.
Fico threatened to stop supplying backup electricity to Ukraine if Kyiv halted the transit of Russian gas to Central Europe. However, the Slovak company SEPS stated that they would continue supplying energy to Ukraine despite Fico's threats.
At the same time, Hungary hinted at blocking Ukraine's accession to the EU due to the halt of gas transit from the Russian Federation.
Subscribe to our Telegram channel to keep track of the most interesting and exclusive news from "Slovo i Delo".