Slovakia considers reducing benefits for Ukrainians due to Russian gas pipeline shutdown
In a statement, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed concern over Kyiv’s decision to cut off Russian gas to the EU, stating that it posed a serious threat to Slovakia’s economy.
Fico also mentioned the possibility of retaliatory measures against Kyiv, such as reducing support for Ukrainian citizens, after the flow of Russian gas through Ukraine to Slovakia was halted.
On Jan. 1, the contract that facilitated the transportation of gas from Russia to Ukraine and then to Slovakia expired, leading to the suspension of Russian gas transit to Slovakia through Ukraine.
Fico described the situation as sabotage and emphasized the need for solutions to mitigate the economic impact, including compensation for financial damages amounting to nearly €500 million annually.
He announced plans to address the issue during discussions in Brussels on Jan. 7 and mentioned the possibility of halting electricity supplies and reducing support for Ukrainian citizens in Slovakia.
Fico had a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Dec 22 and mentioned that Russia has affirmed its commitment to supplying gas to Slovakia and the West, although this may be challenging after Jan. 1, 2025.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Fico of collaborating with Russia against Ukraine’s interests, leading to a tense situation between the two countries.
Fico stressed the importance of analyzing the economic impact of decisions like halting gas transit through Ukraine, which accounts for a significant portion of Slovakia’s transit fees and commodity prices.
End of Supply
Liquefied natural gas has become increasingly crucial for Europe’s energy supply, with major ports in France, Belgium, and Spain receiving shipments that are converted back to gas and distributed across the continent.
Samuel Furfari, a former EU Energy Directorate-General official, emphasized the importance of LNG as an energy source and noted its potential to stimulate new supplier countries.
Reuters and Ryan Morgan contributed to this report.
