(CLO) Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico warned that his country would cut off backup power supplies to Ukraine if Kiev stopped transporting Russian gas through Central Europe.
In a video posted on Facebook on the evening of December 28, Mr. Fico said that after January 1, the Slovak government will assess the situation and potential countermeasures with Ukraine. "If necessary, we will stop supplying Ukraine with the electricity that is urgently needed during the grid outage," Mr. Fico said.
Mr. Fico explained that stopping Russian gas would have a serious impact on the European economy, increasing energy costs over the next two years by up to 120 billion euros ($125 billion). He stressed that such a move would be extremely costly for countries in the European Union.
A gas processing facility in eastern Russia. Photo: Internet
The gas deal between Russia and Ukraine, which will see Russian gas flow through Ukraine to Europe, will end at the end of the year if no alternative is found. Slovakia, one of the largest remaining customers of Russian gas, is increasing pressure on Ukraine to find a solution.
Mr Fico has threatened retaliation if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not meet his demands. Mr Fico’s comments on the evening of December 27 were his strongest warning yet.
Since March, Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, destroying half of its generating capacity and causing widespread blackouts. Ukraine relies on imported energy sources, including from Slovakia.
Slovakia continues to receive oil from Russia via the Druzhba pipeline through Ukraine. The heated rhetoric from both sides has heightened political tensions as the gas deal is set to expire on January 1.
Both Russia and Ukraine have said it will not be easy to agree on terms as tensions rise. Slovakia’s prime minister wants to maintain gas transit beyond 2024 and said he has proposed alternatives that do not require direct contact between the two warring countries.
Hoai Phuong (according to Bloomberg, Kyiv Independent)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/slovakia-doa-cat-nguon-dien-cho-ukraine-neu-dong-khi-dot-tu-nga-ngung-chay-post327943.html
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