Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico wants Ukraine to continue transiting Russian gas in 2025. A series of negotiations will take place on this issue.
Points of attention
- Prime Minister Robert Fico is actively working to continue the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine until 2025, emphasizing cost-effectiveness and supply stability.
- Negotiations involving Ukraine, the European Commission, and EU member states are underway to secure the continuation of gas supplies 'from the east'.
- Despite Ukraine's decision not to continue the transit of Russian gas in 2025, Fico remains committed to finding a solution to preserve gas transit through Slovak and Ukrainian territories.
- Fico might become the first Slovak official to visit Russia after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the historical ties and the upcoming May 9 celebrations in Moscow.
- The Slovak government, under Fico's leadership, is preparing to organize events commemorating the victory over fascism in 1945, with Fico accepting an invitation from Russian President Putin for the celebrations.
Fico dreams of transiting Russian gas through Ukraine
"In the coming days, particularly during the Christmas holidays, you may witness extremely intensive negotiations at various levels and in various countries, which will begin as early as next week," said the Prime Minister of Slovakia, commenting on the issue of Russian gas supplies to his country.
According to him, the goal of such negotiations is to achieve the continuation of supplies "from the east" so as not to pay more for gas transit from other directions.
I believe that even in the event of a short-term interruption of supplies from the east, we are sufficiently provided with reserves to find a common solution for several European Union countries and preserve gas transit through Slovak territory, as well as gas transit through Ukrainian territory.
Robert Fico
Prime Minister of Slovakia
At the same time, Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova noted that the European Commission, Ukraine, and EU member states will participate in the negotiations.
Recall that Ukraine, despite the start of a full-scale war with Russia, maintained the transit of Russian gas to European countries. The relevant contract expires on December 31, 2024.
As Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal emphasized in early October, Ukraine will not continue the transit of Russian gas in 2025.
Fico is going to Moscow at the invitation of dictator Putin
Fico may become the first Slovak representative to travel to Russia on an official visit after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Fico emphasized the role of the Red Army and the Soviet Union in the defeat of fascism and victory in the brutal world war. The Prime Minister stated that the citizens of Slovakia "respectfully remember all the anniversaries and events related to the liberation of our territory by the Red Army in 1944-1945."
In 2025, the Slovak government will take charge of organizing several events, culminating in the May celebrations of the victory over fascism. In the spirit of the above, it is natural that I, as Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, am extremely interested in participating in the official celebrations of the victory over fascism, which will take place on May 9, 2025 in Moscow. Therefore, I am pleased to accept the official invitation of the President of the Russian Federation, V. Putin, to take part in these important celebrations, which I will do.
