Moscow [Russia], December 24: On December 22, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico unexpectedly visited Moscow and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin with the main purpose believed to be to extend the gas supply agreement.
According to Reuters, Russia's Gazprom has a five-year agreement to supply gas to European countries, including Slovakia, via the Druzhba pipeline through Ukraine. The agreement expires on December 31, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced at the European Union (EU) summit last week that it would not be extended due to Russia's military campaign in the country. Slovakia, a member of the EU and NATO, estimates that importing gas from other sources could cost an additional 220 million euros in transportation costs.
The Kremlin only confirmed that Mr. Fico had a working visit to Moscow and held talks with President Putin. According to The Kyiv Independent , Prime Minister Fico said he discussed gas supplies , the war in Ukraine, and the standardization of Slovakia-Russia relations with President Putin. Mr. Fico said the meeting was a "response" to President Zelensky's refusal to extend the agreement. "President Putin confirmed his readiness to continue gas supplies to the West and Slovakia from January 1, 2025, which is practically impossible from the point of view of the President of Ukraine," Mr. Fico wrote on Facebook after the meeting. On the other hand, Mr. Fico accused Ukraine of supporting sanctions on Russia's nuclear program, causing financial damage to Slovakia and threatening electricity production at his country's nuclear power plants.
Mr Fico is the third EU leader to visit Russia since Moscow launched its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, after Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Slovakia's opposition called Mr Fico's visit a "disgrace" but the prime minister said he had warned EU leaders in advance. After becoming prime minister in October 2023, Mr Fico cut off Slovakia's military aid to Ukraine and vowed to block Kyiv from joining NATO. Like Hungary's Prime Minister Orban, Mr Fico opposes sanctions and calls for peaceful dialogue with Russia. Slovakia and Hungary both rely on Russian gas despite EU efforts to diversify supplies since the conflict in Ukraine broke out .
Ukraine's decision to let the gas supply deal expire has sparked collective protests from state energy companies in Slovakia, Hungary, Italy and Austria.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper