Slovakia to consider reciprocal measures if Ukraine stops Russian gas transit

28/12/2024 12:26

Slovakia will consider reciprocal measures against Ukraine such as halting back-up electricity supplies after Jan. 1 if Kyiv, as expected, stops the transit of Russian gas to Slovakia, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Friday.



Slovakia has been trying to preserve Russian gas deliveries via Ukraine in 2025 although Kyiv has refused to renew a transit deal with Moscow expiring at the end of the year while they remain at war.



Slovakia says alternative routes would sharply drive up costs and hit its own transit operations, causing it to lose 500 million euros in fees, according to Fico.

In a video message on Facebook on Friday, Fico reiterated his view that the stoppage of gas via Ukraine would hit the EU and its competitiveness.



He cited estimates saying the cost to the bloc could reach 120 billion euros in 2025-2026 from higher prices for not only the gas but electricity production from the fuel.



He laid the blame on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, with whom he has publicly argued in the past week.