Following talks with EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has reportedly threatened to veto EU aid to Ukraine unless the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine is resolved.
Reuters reported that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned of potential EU financial and humanitarian aid blockage to Ukraine if the disruption of Russian gas transit isn’t resolved. This threat followed a Thursday meeting with EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen.
Fico attributed his threat to Slovakia’s substantial losses from the halted transit.
“There is nothing – not international law or sanctions – that prevents the transit of gas through Ukraine,” Fico stated to reporters in Brussels, according to Reuters.
Slovakia’s Russian gas supply via Ukraine has completely stopped. This route previously generated significant transit fees for Slovakia and provided its domestic gas supply.
Fico estimates annual losses of $515 million in transit fees and an additional $1 billion in increased gas prices due to the disruption.
“If this problem is not resolved, the government of the Slovak Republic will take strict reciprocal measures in the near future,” Fico warned.
The prime minister detailed potential retaliatory actions, including using Slovakia’s EU veto power on Ukraine-related matters.
He also threatened to halt humanitarian aid to Ukraine, reduce support for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia, and cease emergency electricity supplies.
Fico’s comments follow recent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where he secured assurances of direct gas supplies to Slovakia despite the transit interruption.
A planned meeting between Slovak, Ukrainian, and European Commission officials to address the gas transit issue was canceled after Ukraine’s refusal to participate. Subsequently, Slovakia and the European Commission agreed to establish a working group to assess the situation and consider potential EU actions.
Ukraine hasn’t yet publicly responded to Fico’s latest statements. When Fico initially threatened to cut off electricity to Kiev last month, Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko expressed doubt about Bratislava following through.
Slovakia, under contract with Russia’s Gazprom, needs 4 to 5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually. Before the transit halt, it received roughly 3 billion bcm from Russia via Ukraine. In response to the disruption, SPP, Slovakia’s state-owned gas company, is procuring liquefied natural gas (LNG) from international suppliers, including BP, ExxonMobil, Shell, Eni, and RWE.