Slovakia Pushes Back Against Ukraine’s Decision to End Russian Gas Transit
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over Ukraine’s plan to halt the transit of Russian gas through its territory after 2024. Slovakia, which remains heavily dependent on Russian gas delivered via Ukrainian pipelines, fears severe economic consequences if the transit route is shut down.
Fico warned that stopping gas flows through Ukraine would drive up energy prices across Europe and inflict significant damage on Slovakia’s economy. He argued that cutting off transit without an alternative in place would disrupt Slovakia’s energy security and could trigger wider instability in European gas markets.
Zelenskyy Defends Move to Cut Russian Revenue Streams
In response, Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s refusal to renew the transit agreement with Russia, insisting that European nations must stop financing Moscow’s war through energy payments. Zelenskyy proposed that any continued purchase of Russian gas should be conditional on withholding payments until the war ends — a measure he views as critical to undermining Russia’s ability to wage war.
While Fico labeled Zelenskyy’s proposal as “absurd,” he acknowledged that Slovakia is exploring alternatives, such as increasing gas imports from Azerbaijan. However, Fico warned that these alternatives would come at a high cost and would not fully shield Slovakia from price surges if Russian gas flows are abruptly cut.
Economic and Security Risks Loom Over Slovakia
Fico stressed that Slovakia’s gas storage facilities are currently sufficient to handle short-term supply shocks, but cautioned that international gas prices could still spike, hurting businesses and consumers alike. He also raised concerns that Ukraine’s pipeline infrastructure could become a military target if gas transit halts entirely, adding another layer of risk to an already volatile energy landscape.
European Commission Signals Shift Away from Russian Gas
The European Commission has largely stayed neutral in the dispute, reiterating its commitment to phasing out Russian energy imports. A spokesperson emphasized that the EU has no plans to support an extension of the Ukraine-Gazprom transit deal and pointed to alternative supply routes, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and non-Russian pipelines, as sufficient to replace the gas volumes currently passing through Ukraine.
The Commission believes the broader impact on EU energy security will be limited, citing recent efforts to diversify gas supplies following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Tensions Mount Between Slovakia and Ukraine
The clash over gas transit marks another escalation in the increasingly strained relationship between Fico and Zelenskyy. Since returning to power in October 2023, Fico has opposed supplying military aid to Ukraine and has resisted EU efforts to impose tougher sanctions on Russia’s energy sector.
His stance highlights growing divisions within Europe over how to balance energy security, economic interests, and support for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing aggression.
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