Slovak PM Fico calls for border talks with Zelenskyy on gas transit, Ukraine responds

He wrote this on Facebook.

According to the Slovak Prime Minister, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to stop gas transit through Ukraine to Slovakia and other consumers causes significant harm to Ukraine itself, Slovakia, and, in particular, the European Union.

Fico emphasized that he does not intend to escalate tensions further. He wants to focus entirely on resolving the situation related to the suspension of gas transit.

“First of all, I do not believe in the strategy that continuing mutual bloodshed in the war in Ukraine will strengthen Ukraine’s position in potential peace negotiations. During all my foreign trips, I stress the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, support existing peace plans, and propose that peace negotiations at any level be held in Slovakia,” Fico said.

The Prime Minister added that he wants to continue a “constructive and mutually respectful” dialogue with Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal: “Therefore, as the highest representative of the Slovak executive branch, allow me to invite you to negotiations, preferably as soon as possible, fully understanding the seriousness of your work agenda.”

“The meeting could take place on the territory of the Slovak Republic near the state border between Slovakia and Ukraine. Symbolically, you could use the direct railway connection from Kyiv to Košice, which is the result of joint efforts of our governments, to reach Slovak territory,” he added.

Zelenskyy's response

"Ok. Come to Kyiv on Friday," he wrote on X.

Background

At the end of December 2024, Peter Pellegrini stated that he would consider visiting Ukraine, but only after the completion of negotiations on gas transit for the country.

On the morning of Wednesday, January 1, Ukraine stopped the transportation of Russian natural gas through its gas transmission system. In response, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned of a possible reduction in support for Ukrainian refugees.

On January 7, a draft law was registered in the Ukrainian parliament to ban the transit of Russian oil and gas through Ukrainian territory during martial law. However, it is not on the current agenda. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that stopping the transit of oil from Russia would violate the Association Agreement with the EU and the Energy Charter Treaty.