The cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine will result in a loss of nearly EUR 500 million annually for Slovakia and will lead to increased electricity prices in the EU. Consequently, Bratislava demands the resumption of transit, and otherwise intends to take measures to halt electricity supplies to Ukraine and reduce support for Ukrainian citizens residing in the country, states Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
"On behalf of the Slovak Social Democrats, I declare that we are ready to negotiate and come to an agreement within the coalition regarding the cessation of electricity supplies and significant reduction of support for Ukrainian citizens in the Slovak Republic. I believe that coalition partners also view the situation surrounding the termination of gas transit as extremely serious and deserving of a sovereign response from sovereign Slovakia," Fico said in a video address posted on his Facebook page on Thursday.
According to him, this is not about gas for Slovakia's domestic consumption, which is secured for a year and will not see price increases, but specifically about the transit through Slovakia.
"President Zelensky has unilaterally halted the transit of gas from Ukraine to Slovakia to other European partners, depriving Slovakia of nearly 500 million euros annually from other European partners that we would have received from transit funds. The entire EU will pay higher electricity prices amounting to between 60 to 70 billion euros. The Russian Federation will hardly suffer at all. Only the United States will benefit from President Zelensky's decision, increasing electricity imports to Europe," the Prime Minister stated.
He noted that on Tuesday, a Slovak government delegation participated in negotiations in Brussels, where Ukrainian politicians raised the issue of a possible halt to electricity supplies from Slovakia to Ukraine. Upon the delegation's return from Brussels, he intends to convene a coalition council and then the government to discuss retaliatory measures in response to Ukraine's cessation of Russian gas transit.
"The only alternative for sovereign Slovakia is to resume transit or demand compensation mechanisms that will offset the budget deficit of nearly 500 million euros," Fico added.
As reported, starting from 7:00 AM on January 1st, the Ukrainian gas transportation system ceased transporting Russian natural gas. The infrastructure of the gas transportation system has been prepared in advance to operate in a zero transit mode and ensure reliable gas supply for Ukrainian consumers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the cessation of Russian gas transit to the EU through Ukrainian territory is one of Moscow's greatest defeats. According to the President, the Russian Federation has lost its most attractive and geographically accessible market due to the weaponization of energy resources and cynical energy blackmail against its partners. Nevertheless, considering the circumstances, the vast majority of European countries have successfully adapted to such changes.
"Today, our common task is to support Moldova during its energy transformation. We must also withstand the hysteria of some European politicians who prefer mafia-like schemes with Moscow over transparent energy policies," Zelensky said.