President of Slovakia refuses to visit Ukraine over Russian gas transit shutdown

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini refuses to pay an official visit to Kyiv because Ukraine has stopped the transit of Russian gas that Slovakia had been receiving.

Source: Slovak publication Aktuality, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Pellegrini said that under the current circumstances, his trip to Ukraine "is not an option" at the moment. 

Quote from Peter Pellegrini: "If I have to go there merely to snap a picture and they tell me that no oil or gas will be shipped to Slovakia, I should not go. Let no one be offended by me. In a case when the Ukrainian government and president have decided to cut off gas supplies to us, they refuse to transit it to Slovakia, posing a serious threat to Slovakia's energy security. Despite our existing contracts, my going to Ukraine is out of the question as the Ukrainian parliament considers legislation prohibiting oil transfers to Slovakia."

Background: 

• The Slovak president said in December he was considering a visit to Ukraine in 2025. However, he linked his possible visit to the outcome of gas transit negotiations.
• The Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico voiced a list of threats against Kyiv, including a veto of EU decisions on Ukraine. 

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