Slovakia Considers Blocking Aid to Ukraine Amid Gas Transit Crisis
The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, has indicated that the country may consider obstructing European Union financial and humanitarian support for Ukraine if the ongoing dispute regarding Russian gas transit through Ukraine is not resolved. This warning came after Fico's discussions with EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen in Brussels.
Fico pointed out the significant potential financial losses that Slovakia could incur due to the halted gas transit. He emphasized that international regulations or sanctions do not impede the gas transit through Ukraine.
Slovakia has experienced a complete cessation of Russian gas flows via Ukraine, which previously provided substantial transit fees and met a significant portion of the country's energy consumption. According to estimates, Slovakia could lose approximately $515 million annually in transit fees, alongside an additional $1 billion in increased gas costs as a result of the disruption.
Fico stated that if the situation does not improve, the Slovak government would implement strict reciprocal measures shortly. These measures may include exercising Slovakia's veto power within the EU concerning issues related to Ukraine.
Additionally, Fico warned that Slovakia might reduce its humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, limit support for Ukrainian refugees residing in Slovakia, and potentially halt emergency electricity supplies destined for Ukraine.
These comments followed a recent meeting between Fico and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where the Slovak leader secured assurances of direct gas supplies to Slovakia, despite the ongoing transit halt. A planned meeting involving Slovak, Ukrainian, and European Commission officials to address the gas transit issue was canceled after Ukraine opted not to participate. In response to the ongoing crisis, Slovakia and the European Commission have agreed to establish a working group aimed at assessing the situation and exploring possible EU interventions.
As of now, Ukraine has not publicly responded to Fico's latest comments. When Fico initially suggested the possibility of cutting off electricity supplies to Ukraine last month, Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko expressed skepticism about Slovakia following through with such threats.
Slovakia, which holds a contract with Russia's Gazprom, requires between 4 billion and 5 billion cubic meters of gas annually to satisfy its energy needs. Before the transit disruption, Slovakia was receiving around 3 billion cubic meters from Russia through Ukraine. In light of the halted gas flows, Slovakia's state-owned gas company, SPP, has started sourcing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from various international suppliers, including BP, ExxonMobil, Shell, Eni, and RWE.
