Reuters. ainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday (December 23) criticized what he said was Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's lack of desire to end his country's dependency on Russian natural resources as a "big security issue" for Europe and Slovakia.
Zelenskiy made the comments after Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Sunday (December 22). Fico said the meeting was in response to talks with Zelenskiy, who he accused of opposing any gas transit through Ukraine to his country.
Ukraine has repeatedly said it would not extend a transit deal for gas flows from Russia to Europe, which expires on Jan. 1. Payments for the gas have helped Russia to wage its almost three-year war in Ukraine, Kyiv says.
The flow through Ukraine accounts for around half of Russia's total pipeline gas exports to Europe. Slovakia, Italy, Austria and the Czech Republic will be the most affected if it ends.
Slovakia's government office could not be immediately reached for comment and did not immediately reply to emailed questions.
Fico said on Sunday that Putin had confirmed Russia's willingness to continue to supply gas to Slovakia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he could not give more details.
