Zelensky slams Fico for rejecting EU gas compensation deal
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, criticised the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, for rejecting a proposal for compensation related to halting the transit of Russian gas. Zelensky accused Fico of endangering Europe's security and supporting Russia.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his dissatisfaction with Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico's decision to reject the offer of compensation for losses resulting from halting the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine. Zelensky accused Fico of potentially threatening European security and financially supporting Russia's war activities.
During his speech, Zelensky stressed that the compensation offer, which was agreed upon with the European Union, aimed to compensate Slovakia for losses and implement alternative gas transit routes. Nonetheless, Fico decided to reject this proposal, which was criticised by the Ukrainian leader.
We offered him solutions regarding potential compensation for Slovaks -- the Slovaks specifically -- for losses from Russian transit, as well as alternatives for transit - any other gas, not Russian, at the request of the European Commission. Fico did not want compensation for the Slovaks. And he does not want to cooperate with the European Commission — said Zelensky in his evening speech.
Fico met with Putin
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss European gas supplies. Although Putin expressed readiness to continue supplies, the Slovak Prime Minister viewed Ukraine's stance, which opposes the transit of Russian gas after 2025, as a threat.
Fico was criticized for participating in talks with Putin mainly because he opposed EU sanctions and military aid for Ukraine. During his visit to Moscow, Fico emphasised the need for Slovakia's sovereign policy, raising concerns about its energy security due to its dependency on Russian gas.
Zelensky also addressed Fico's recent meeting with Vladimir Putin, during which they discussed gas supply issues. The Ukrainian president suggested that Moscow might financially support Fico, posing a serious threat to the security of Slovakia and all of Europe. Zelensky emphasised that Fico seeks to maintain interests with Russia, which could impact the region's energy stability.
He does not want to cooperate with the European Commission. For some reason, it is more profitable for him in Moscow. Everyone in Europe understands why. There are no those who do not understand — wrote Zelensky.
Fico’s meeting with Putin, the first in many years, also sparked controversy in the context of the Slovak Prime Minister's planned celebrations of the end of World War II in Moscow. Fico is attempting to establish normal energy cooperation with Russia, which is criticised by the opposition and parts of the international community as a step backwards in relations with the EU.
