Slovakia may reduce aid for Ukrainian refugees after halt in Russian gas transit, Fico warns

Dennik N reports.

Fico previously stated that Slovakia may stop supplying electricity to Ukraine in response to the halting of Russian gas transit, and now, the reduction of support for Ukrainian citizens is on the table.

The Slovakian Prime Minister acknowledged there were no immediate risks to Slovak households, but the country stands to lose its income from gas transit, around half a billion euros annually.

He confirmed that representatives of Slovakia, Ukraine, and the European Commission will meet on January 7 to discuss the gas transit halt. Fico said this was prompted by Ukraine’s complaint about Bratislava’s countermeasures.

The prime minister stated that Slovakia is ready to negotiate and reach an agreement within the coalition to stop electricity supplies to Ukraine and significantly reduce subsidies for Ukrainian citizens in Slovakia.

Ukraine stops transit of Russian gas to EU

In October 2024, European Commissioner Kadri Simson announced that the European Union was ready to end the contract between Naftogaz and Gazprom for Russian gas transit via Ukraine.

In response, Fico stated that Slovakia would hold talks to secure Russian gas supplies through Ukraine after the current transit contract expires, but Ukraine is refusing to continue the transit.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented that Ukraine would stop transiting Russian gas through its territory to prevent further profits for Russia. On January 1, Ukraine halted Russian gas transit.

Robert Fico threatened Slovakia might stop electricity supplies to Ukraine starting January 1 as a consequence of the Russian gas transit halt, which he deemed a "serious problem."

Zelenskyy responded to Fico's threats, suggesting that Putin had tasked Fico with opening a second energy front.  

On January 1, Ukraine ceased transporting Russian natural gas.

Fico emphasized in his New Year’s speech that the suspension of Russian gas transit via Ukraine would have serious consequences for the European Union, but would not affect Moscow.