Slovakia demands compensation if Russian gas transits not restored
2 Min Read
Robert Fico supports the restoration of gas transits from Russia through Ukraine to the West, otherwise, compensation must be paid to balance out Slovakia's losses.
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Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico listens during a news conference in the Serbia Palace in Belgrade, Serbia, on November 21, 2024. (AP)
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico demanded on Friday compensation for Slovakia's losses if Ukraine does not restore gas transits from Russia to the West.
In a recorded video published on Facebook, Fico said "The only alternative for independent Slovakia is to restore transit [of natural gas through Ukraine] or to find compensation mechanisms that will offset the loss of almost 500 million euros [$514 million] from state finances."
He emphasized that Slovakia has sufficient gas supplies for domestic needs and assured that household gas prices will remain constant in 2025. However, the country's primary losses will stem from the inability to transport gas from Ukraine to other EU nations.
Slovak officials have repeatedly expressed their intention to maintain the capacity to transport gas westward through their territory, as this transit generates approximately 500 million euros annually in fees for the republic.
Read more: Zelensky accuses Slovak PM of wanting to help Putin, weaken Europe
Previously, Fico stated that during an EU summit in Brussels, Zelensky proposed compensating Slovakia with the same amount, extracted from frozen Russian assets, if Slovakia supports its NATO bid - a proposition immediately rejected.
The Slovak prime minister also speculated that the United States would benefit most from stopping gas supplies from Russia through Ukraine to Europe, asking "What is behind this absurd decision by President Zelensky? Just look at which countries benefit most from reducing the European Union's dependence on gas from Russia. The answer is very simple: first and foremost, it is the United States."
He recalled that US President-elect Donald Trump has already threatened EU countries by introducing tariffs unless they start purchasing more American oil and gas.
