Slovak PM meets Putin to discuss Russian gas transit
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Sunday (December 22) to discuss issues such as the transit of Russian gas, Mr. Fico said in a message published on social networks.
>> Ukraine will interrupt the transit of Russian gas on the 1stis January 2025
| Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on December 22. |
| Photo : AFP/VNA/CVN |
According to Mr. Fico, this meeting was decided in reaction to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who declared Thursday, December 19, during a European Union summit in Brussels, that he was opposed to any transit of gas to the Slovakia via Ukraine.
Mr. Putin confirmed that Russia is ready to continue supplying gas to the West and Slovakia, the head of the Slovak government confirmed, adding that this was practically impossible after the 1is January 2025, the expiration date of the current contract, taking into account Mr. Zelensky's attitude.
Senior EU officials were informed on Friday December 20 of this trip and its objective, Mr. Fico said.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Chmyhal confirmed that his country would interrupt the transit of Russian gas through its territory from 1is January 2025.
The resumption of gas transit will only be possible at the request of the European Commission and on the condition that Ukraine transports non-Russian gas, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported on Friday, December 20, citing Mr. Chmyhal.
Ukraine was previously a key transit route for Russian gas deliveries to Europe.
Xinhua/VNA/CVN
