Slovakia’s Prime Minister Issues Ultimatum
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has warned of drastic measures against Ukrainian refugees following a dispute over halted Russian gas supplies. The announcement comes after Kyiv shut down a key gas pipeline on January 1, ending decades of transit to Central Europe. Slovakia, previously a major entry point for Russian gas, faces an estimated €500 million loss in transit fees, escalating tensions with Ukraine.
Refugee Aid and Energy Exports at Stake
Fico has proposed cutting financial support for the more than 130,000 Ukrainian refugees currently residing in Slovakia. He also suggested halting electricity exports to Ukraine, which remains heavily dependent on external energy supplies due to ongoing Russian attacks on its infrastructure. These actions, Fico argued, are necessary to address Slovakia’s economic losses from the pipeline shutdown.
Kyiv’s Decision Sparks Diplomatic Fallout
Fico described Kyiv’s pipeline closure as “sabotage,” a move that has further strained Slovakia-Ukraine relations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Fico of aligning with Russian interests, claiming his policies enable Moscow to prolong its aggression against Ukraine. Fico’s December visit to Moscow, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin, has fueled such accusations.
EU and Regional Reactions
Poland has offered to support Ukraine by compensating for any loss in electricity exports from Slovakia, signaling solidarity with Kyiv amid the dispute. The European Commission stated that EU member states were prepared for the pipeline closure, with most countries adapting to alternative energy sources. However, non-EU nations like Moldova are already facing energy shortages as a result of the transit halt.
Slovakia’s Energy Security Unaffected
Despite the economic setback, Fico reassured Slovakians that the country’s gas supply remains secure due to pre-arranged alternative sources. However, he emphasized the importance of compensation mechanisms to offset the financial losses incurred by the halted transit. “The only viable solution for a sovereign Slovakia,” Fico stated, “is either the resumption of transit or financial compensation.”
Growing Tensions in Eastern Europe
The dispute underscores deepening divisions in Eastern Europe as nations grapple with the economic and humanitarian fallout of the war in Ukraine. While Slovakia’s proposed cuts to refugee aid and energy exports reflect mounting domestic pressures, they risk further isolating the country within the EU and undermining regional support for Ukraine.
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