KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Dec 23 blasted Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico over his reluctance to end his country’s dependency on Russian gas, calling it a “big security issue” for Europe and saying Mr Fico declined compensation.
Mr Zelensky made the comments after Mr Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Dec 23. Mr Fico had accused Mr Zelensky of opposing any gas transit through Ukraine to Slovakia, which is dependent on gas supplies piped in via its neighbour.
Ukraine has repeatedly said it will not extend an existing 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 Ukrainian leader said Mr Fico had been offered possible compensation for Slovakia for losses resulting from the expiry, as well as transit alternatives for non-Russian gas.
“Fico did not want compensation for the Slovaks,” Mr Zelensky said in his evening address.
Slovakia, which has a long-term contract with Russia’s Gazprom, has said buying in gas from elsewhere would cost it €220 million (S$311 million) more in transit expenses.
Mr Zelensky gave no further details on the compensation offer but earlier on Dec 23 said that Mr Fico was interested only in Russian gas and that US$500 million (S$680 million) a year was at stake.
Mr Fico said last week that Mr Zelensky had offered €500 million, which he said had been tied to Nato membership and was from Russian assets that the Slovak leader said Ukraine did not possess.
“President (Zelensky) came back to the subject of gas and asked me if I would then vote for Nato membership if he gave me €500 million of Russian assets, and of course, I said ‘never’,” said Mr Fico, who has opposed Ukraine’s bid for a place in the transatlantic security alliance.
Security issue
Slovakia has said a loss of gas supply from Russia would not hit its consumption and that it has diversified supply contracts. But it has sought to preserve the Ukraine route to keep its gas transit costs from rising and maintain its transit capacities.
Mr Zelensky said Mr Fico’s key goal was “to deal with Russia,” as it was beneficial for him.
“This is indeed a big security issue – both for Slovakia and the entire Europe. Why is this leader so dependent on Moscow?” he said.
He said Slovakia was receiving discounts from Moscow and accused it for paying for them via “murky schemes”, but gave no details or evidence.
“This should be a matter of concern for Slovakia’s law enforcement and special services,” he added.
The Slovak government office did not respond to a request for comment.
Mr Fico said on Dec 22 that President Putin had confirmed Russia’s willingness to continue to supply gas to Slovakia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he could not give more details. REUTERS
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Publish date : 2024-12-28 06:48:00
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