The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, announced a meeting held in Moscow with Vladimir Putin, during which the parties discussed the war in Ukraine.
"In a lengthy conversation with V. Putin, we exchanged views on the military situation in Ukraine, the possibility of a prompt peaceful resolution to the war, as well as the relationship between the Slovak Republic and the Russian Federation, which I intend to standardize. This will also be facilitated by events related to the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the victory over fascism, in which Russians, Belarusians, Ukrainians, and other nations of the former USSR played a decisive role," Fico wrote on Facebook on Sunday evening.
He also stated that he traveled to Moscow in response to the cessation of Russian gas transit to Slovakia via Ukraine.
"My meeting today was a response to Ukrainian President V. Zelensky, who on Thursday, in answer to my personal question, stated that he is against any gas transit through Ukraine to our territory. The Ukrainian president is also advocating for sanctions against Russia's nuclear program. Such actions are financially damaging to Slovakia and jeopardize electricity production at nuclear power plants in Slovakia, which is unacceptable," wrote the head of the Slovak government.
According to Fico, Putin confirmed Russia's readiness to continue gas supplies to Slovakia, but this is "practically impossible after January 1, 2025, considering the position of the Ukrainian president."
As reported, on December 20, Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that the cessation of gas transit through Ukraine to Slovakia could lead to a serious conflict.
Zelensky stated on December 19 that Ukraine would not continue the transit of Russian gas. He noted that in his conversation with the Prime Minister of Slovakia, he mentioned that if it were gas from another country and no payments were made to Russia until the end of the war, Ukraine would be willing to consider such an option.
In September 2024, Hungary's MOL Group announced an agreement with oil suppliers from Russia and pipeline operators to ensure its transportation through the "Druzhba" pipeline via Belarus and Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia.
Last week, Fico announced that Slovakia would conduct a series of "extremely intensive negotiations at various levels and in different countries," starting this week, to secure gas supplies from Russia after its current transit contract involving Ukraine expires at the end of this year. According to Slovakia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Denisa Sakova, the negotiations will involve the European Commission, Ukraine, and EU member states.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/robertficosk/posts/pfbid02ZLwqnx9sJdPssV3XZiWSfUx4w5mBT59D32TchomKsbC7a9wwS64NSszwtGfzLcp3l