Zelensky accuses Slovak PM of wanting to help Putin, weaken Europe
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Slovakia is highly dependent on Russian gas and has expressed worries about potentially losing supplies once a gas transit contract with Ukraine expires on December 31.
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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference after the European Council meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels on December 19, 2024 (AFP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Monday of attempting to assist President Vladimir Putin by continuing to import gas from Russia.
Zelensky indicated that European Union leaders had observed Fico, who visited Moscow on Sunday, and his resistance to decreasing energy reliance on Russia, suggesting that this implies "he wants to help Putin earn money to fund the war and weaken Europe."
He expressed on social media platform X that "we believe that such assistance to Putin is immoral."
Slovakia is highly dependent on Russian gas and has expressed worries about potentially losing supplies once a gas transit contract with Ukraine expires on December 31. Ukraine has made its position clear that it will not extend the contract with Russia.
"We offered him solutions regarding potential compensation for Slovaks -- the Slovaks specifically -- for losses from Russian transit, as well as alternatives for transit – any other gas, not Russian, at the request of the European Commission," Zelensky said of the Slovak premier.
He stated that "Fico did not want compensation for the Slovaks. And he does not want to cooperate with the European Commission."
There have been many questions from journalists today about Fico’s trip to Moscow. In fact, after our conversation in Brussels in the presence of all European leaders, nothing surprises anymore.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 23, 2024
We are fighting for our lives, Fico is fighting for money, and it’s unlikely that…
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned in a press briefing on Monday that "this is a very difficult situation which requires increased attention."
The unannounced visit by Fico, whose nation is part of NATO and the European Union, took place without prior announcement.
In a statement shared on Facebook following his discussions with the Russian President, Fico referred to the meeting as a response to Zelensky's opposition to any gas transit from Ukraine to Slovakia.
He revealed that Putin assured him of Russia's "readiness... to continue to supply gas to the West and to Slovakia, which is practically impossible after 1 January 2025," but did not provide further details.
The two leaders also exchanged perspectives regarding the war in Ukraine and "the possibility of an early peaceful end" to it, Fico added.
Read more: Slovakia announces it will not supply more arms to Ukraine
