After the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, the Russian company Gazprom guaranteed gas supplies to Slovakia through other routes, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said. "SPP company filled the tanks and, for the moment, we will not use the stored gas for as long as possible. We will continue to store it, and Gazprom promised to deliver the gas through other routes," Fico said at a meeting of the parliamentary committee on European affairs, quoted by RIA Novosti agency, IPN reports.
The Prime Minister of Slovakia stressed that Russia has been a "reliable" partner, unlike Ukraine. The economic losses for Slovakia, generated by the stop of gas transit, are considerable, being estimated at about €500 million per year, an amount that could reach €1 billion if gas prices continue to rise. These losses come additionally to the €70 billion that the entire European Union could pay due to this decision by Ukraine to stop the transit of Russian gas.
Robert Fico accused the Ukrainian authorities, saying that the decision to stop the transit of gas has a direct impact on the Slovak economy and the European Union. "Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to interrupt transit intentionally harms the financial interests of Slovakia and the EU," said the Slovak official.
Following talks in Brussels, European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen said that a working group will be created to find technical and political solutions. "There is no problem of security of gas supply for the European Union. We will work closely with Slovakia to address these challenges. We will continue discussing closely these issues at both political and technical level," stated Jørgensen, confirming that the European Commission will closely monitor the situation.
Robert Fico also made direct threats against Ukraine. He threatened to cut emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine as Russia attacks its power grid, or reduce aid for Ukrainian refugees. He said the government could also halt humanitarian aid or use its veto right EU decisions on Ukraine, according to Reuters.
Robert Fico explained that Ukraine would have had the opportunity to continue the transit of gas, despite the sanctions imposed on Russia, and accused Kyiv of refusing the solutions proposed by Slovakia to maintain the flow of gas. Slovakia had proposed technical solutions including taking ownership of the Russian gas before it reached Ukraine, but Kyiv rejected them.
In the context of these tensions, Slovakia continues to negotiate with the European Commission and will consider further measures, depending on the developments.
