Putin meets Slovak PM Robert Fico; discusses transit of Russian gas
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was on a working visit to Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
The meeting, which had been planned several days in advance, was a one-on-one discussion between the two leaders, Peskov stated during an interview with Pavel Zarubin, a journalist from Russia’s state TV and radio company VGTRK, on Sunday. The talks were expected to focus on international issues and the transit of Russian gas, according to Xinhua news agency.
Fico mentioned that the meeting was a response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s comments made Thursday at a European Union summit in Brussels, where Zelensky stated that he was opposed to any transit of gas through Ukraine to Slovakia.
Putin confirmed Russia’s readiness to continue supplying gas to the West and to Slovakia, Fico added. However, he noted that it would be practically impossible to maintain this after January 1, 2025, when the current contract expires, especially due to Zelensky’s stance.
Top EU officials were informed about the trip and its purpose on Friday, Fico said.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that Ukraine will halt the transit of Russian gas through its territory starting January 1, 2025. The resumption of gas transit would only be possible at the request of the European Commission and if Ukraine transports non-Russian gas, Shmyhal stated, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
Historically, Ukraine has been a key transit route for Russian gas supplies to Europe.
Slovakia, which is dependent on gas passing through Ukraine, has criticized Zelensky for refusing to extend the contract, which expires at the end of the year. Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, mentioned that the discussions between Putin and Fico were likely to focus on gas transit and the current international situation.
The Slovak government office was unavailable for comment and did not respond immediately to emailed questions. Ukraine has repeatedly stated it will not extend the transit deal with Russia, nearly 34 months into the war between the two countries.
Slovakia, which holds a long-term contract with Russian energy giant Gazprom, has been trying to ensure continued gas supplies through Ukraine, arguing that buying gas from other sources would cost an additional 220 million euros ($229 million) in transit expenses.
On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv will not extend its five-year gas transportation deal with Russia, which expires at the end of 2024. This decision has raised concerns in Slovakia, which has a long-term contract with Gazprom.
