(Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky on Saturday accused Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico of opening a “second energy front” against Ukraine on orders from Russia, as the two countries are locked in a battle over energy gas delivery.
Ukraine, through which Russian gas transits to several European countries including Slovakia, refuses to renew a gas delivery agreement with Moscow which is due to end at the end of the year, because of the Russian invasion .
In retaliation, Robert Fico threatened measures on the delivery of electricity to Ukraine after January 1.
“It appears that Putin ordered Fico to open a second energy front against Ukraine to the detriment of the Slovak population,” wrote Volodimir Zelensky on X.
Bratislava is seeking to maintain this route, arguing that further recourse would increase delivery costs which could rise to 500 million euros.
Ukraine is forced to import electricity from several neighboring countries after Russia relentlessly targeted its energy infrastructure.
Slovakia represents 19% of Ukrainian electricity imports, according to Volodimir Zelensky.
“Slovakia is part of Europe’s single energy market and Fico must respect common European rules,” the Ukrainian president wrote.
According to Volodimir Zelensky, such a decision by Robert Fico would deprive Slovakia of $200 million in revenue per year.
Since taking office in 2023, Robert Fico has been one of the most fervent supporters of the Russian invasion of the European Union.
He visited Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier this week, after which the Russian leader said he was open to Slovakia’s offer to host peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.
(Zhifan Liu for the French version)
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