(CLO) Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that the government will consider retaliatory measures against Ukraine after the country stopped transporting Russian gas through its territory to Slovakia.
In a video message posted on Facebook on January 2, Mr. Fico said the Smer party would consider cutting off electricity supplies to Ukraine, reducing aid to Ukrainian refugees and demanding the resumption of gas deliveries or compensation for financial losses caused by the disruption.
Mr Fico said Ukraine's actions would lead to higher gas and electricity prices in Europe. He also accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of carrying out "sabotage" against Slovakia.
He warned that the ruling coalition could agree to cut off electricity supplies and significantly reduce support for Ukrainians in Slovakia. Mr Fico also demanded the resumption of gas transit or the establishment of a compensation mechanism to cover the damage, estimated at 500 million euros.
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. Photo: Facebook/Robert Fico
The suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine on New Year's Day marks the end of Moscow's decades-long influence over European energy markets, as a transit contract between Russia and Ukraine expires.
Although Slovakia has alternative gas supplies, Mr Fico said the country would lose transit revenue and have to pay extra transportation fees to import gas from other sources, increasing energy costs.
Last week, Mr Zelenskyy accused Mr Fico of running a “second energy front” against Ukraine under Russian influence. Slovakia exported 2.4 million megawatt hours of electricity to Ukraine in the first 11 months of 2024, helping the country cope with power shortages caused by Russian airstrikes.
Slovakia's Eustream gas network operator, which had revenues of 158 million euros and net profits of 25 million euros in the first half of last year, will be hit hard by the halt in Russian gas transit.
State gas importer SPP expects to face additional costs of around 90 million euros this year, mainly due to transportation fees.
Mr Fico said a Slovak delegation would travel to Brussels next week to discuss the situation. The government would then decide on specific retaliatory steps against Ukraine, based on the financial impact and national interests.
Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters, Politico)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/slovakia-can-nhac-bien-phap-tra-dua-ukraine-sau-vu-ngung-van-chuyen-khi-dot-post328818.html
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