Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of jeopardizing Europe’s energy stability. Fico’s comments came after a Facebook post on Sunday where he outlined the serious implications of Zelenskyy’s opposition to the continuation of natural gas transit through Ukraine. Fico warned that if Ukraine persists in blocking this route, Russian gas deliveries to Western Europe would become “virtually impossible” after January 1, 2025.
Fico revealed that during his recent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, he emphasized the importance of uninterrupted gas flow to Slovakia and the broader EU, a position that he claimed was being undermined by Ukraine’s actions. He voiced his frustration with Zelenskyy’s stance, particularly after a personal exchange in which the Ukrainian leader expressed strong opposition to any gas transit through Ukrainian territory to Slovakia.
The Slovak leader didn’t stop there. He also condemned Zelenskyy’s backing of sanctions targeting Russia’s nuclear sector, warning that such actions could harm Slovakia’s own energy security, especially in regard to the country’s nuclear power plants. Fico called these moves “unacceptable” and underscored their potential to undermine Slovakia’s energy production.
Meanwhile, Fico confirmed that he had discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine with Putin and expressed his intent to attend Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9, a solemn commemoration of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE