Slovak PM says he met with Putin because of Zelenskyy's opposition to Russian gas transit through Ukraine

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has said that his meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Sunday, 22 December was in response to a statement made by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about halting the transit of Russian gas.

Source: Fico on Facebook, following his meeting with Putin

Quote: "EU leaders were informed of my trip and its purpose on Friday [20 December]. Today's meeting was a response to President Zelenskyy's statement on 19 December, when he said in response to my question that he opposes any transit of gas through Ukraine to our territory.

The Ukrainian president also supports sanctions against Russia's nuclear programme. That position harms Slovakia financially and jeopardises electricity production at Slovakia’s nuclear power plants, which is unacceptable."

Details: Fico said Putin had confirmed Russia's willingness to continue supplying gas to the West and Slovakia. However, he noted that this would "be practically impossible after 1 January 2025, given the Ukrainian president's position".

Fico added that during their lengthy discussion, he and Putin "exchanged views on the military situation in Ukraine, the possibility of a swift peaceful resolution to the war", and relations between Slovakia and Russia.

Background: 

• It was reported earlier that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was in the Kremlin on 22 December for talks with Vladimir Putin.
• There were no joint statements to the press after the talks.
• The gas transit agreement between Ukraine and Russia expires on 1 January 2025. Ukraine has stated that it does not plan to extend the agreement.
• During talks with Fico, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that Kyiv has ruled out the possibility of renewing the transit agreement with Gazprom, but clarified that Ukraine is open to transporting gas via its gas transmission system provided it does not originate from Russia.
• Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine will not renew its agreement with Gazprom on Russian gas transit to Europe and said Kyiv would not agree to pump Russian gas disguised as Azerbaijani gas.
• The European Union has prepared for the cessation of transit. The share of Russian gas in Europe has dropped to 6%, with only 4% of it transiting through Ukraine.
• On 20 December, Fico claimed that Slovakia faces a "gas crisis" because of Zelenskyy. Slovak media reported that Fico had discussed gas transit with Zelenskyy, who he said had ruled out the possibility of Ukraine facilitating any transit of Russian gas.

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