Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has threatened to reduce financial assistance for more than 130,000 Ukrainian refugees as tensions between Slovakia and Ukraine rise over Russian gas supplies.
On January 1, Ukraine shut down a pipeline that has historically supplied Central Europe with Russian natural gas. This disruption threatens to cost Slovakia millions in lost transit fees, as it has been a primary entry point for gas to the region.
The UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR) reported last month that Slovakia hosts 130,530 Ukrainian refugees out of a total of 6,813,900 globally. Describing Ukraine’s actions as “sabotage,” Fico noted that he recently visited Moscow to meet with President Vladimir Putin.
The Slovakian PM indicated plans to halt electricity exports to Ukraine and significantly reduce financial support for the Ukrainian refugees residing in Slovakia. He reassured the public that Slovakia would not face gas shortages thanks to alternative arrangements already in place.
However, Fico lamented that Ukraine’s gas supply cutoff could deprive Slovakia of around 500 million euros (£415 million; $518 million) in transit fees from affected countries. He stated, “The only alternative for a sovereign Slovakia is renewal of transit or demanding compensation mechanisms to replace the loss in public finances.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Fico of aiding Putin’s efforts to undermine Ukraine, claiming that Fico’s actions were detrimental to the welfare of Ukrainians.
In response to possible cuts from Slovakia, Poland has offered to assist Kyiv, emphasizing the importance of electricity supplies, especially as Ukrainian power plants face consistent attacks from Russia.
Poland’s government hailed Ukraine’s termination of Russian gas supplies as “another victory” over Moscow, while the European Commission assured that the EU had prepared for these changes and most member states could adapt. Meanwhile, Moldova, which is outside the EU, is already experiencing gas shortages.
Russia continues to channel gas to Hungary, Turkey, and Serbia via the TurkStream pipeline across the Black Sea.
Credit: BBC News
