Fico threatened to stop aid to Ukraine and a veto in the EU due to disputes with Kyiv | News

President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to stop the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine significantly damages Slovakia and, above all, the European Union, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said today in Brussels. He discussed the current situation with the European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jörgensen. According to the Slovak Prime Minister, the negotiations were “extremely constructive” and the European Commissioner is aware of the impact Kyiv’s decision will have on the competitiveness of the EU. If the situation is not resolved, Fico threatened to stop aid to Ukraine and veto the EU vote.

“President Zelensky’s decision, which he made before Christmas, has nothing to do with common sense. It is a decision that significantly damages the Slovak Republic and, above all, the European Union,” Fico declared in front of a hall full of journalists. “The Slovak government is not interested in escalating tensions. However, if the situation is not resolved, the government will take tough reciprocal measures,” added the Slovak prime minister.

Fico previously stated that Slovakia will lose almost half a billion euros (12.6 billion crowns) in fees for transporting raw materials due to the stoppage of gas transit through Ukraine. According to him, the solution is the restoration of gas supplies from Ukraine or the compensation of the aforementioned financial shortfall.

According to the Slovak prime minister, a reciprocal measure towards Kyiv could be the suspension of humanitarian aid to Ukraine and the reduction or withdrawal of benefits for Ukrainian refugees. He also mentioned the possibility of stopping electricity supplies to Ukraine and the fact that Bratislava will use its right of veto during negotiations in the European Union concerning Ukraine. “If the Ukrainian president continues to damage us, damage the EU, the Slovak Republic will show that it is a sovereign country,” said the prime minister.