Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is threatening retaliatory measures against Ukraine if Kyiv stops Russian gas transit to Slovakia as of Jan. 1,
Politico reports.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week said his government “would not prolong the transit of Russian gas” once the current contract expires at the end of this year. Zelenskyy accused Fico of helping Russian President Vladimir Putin finance his invasion of Ukraine through purchases of natural gas from Russia.
"After Jan. 1, we will consider the situation and the possibility of reciprocal measures against Ukraine," Fico said in a video posted on Facebook Friday. " If it is unavoidable, we will stop the supply of electricity, which Ukraine urgently needs in the event of grid failures," he said.
Fico said that the end of the Russian gas transit will drive up costs for the EU and hit the bloc's competitiveness. It would also increase energy prices in Slovakia, he said.
"But who cares about Slovakia, right, Mr. Zelenskyy? But when you need something to keep you from freezing in the winter, you scream in frustration," Fico hit out at the Ukrainian leader.
