Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will visit Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on Monday because of Ukraine's refusal to transit Russian gas. UNN reports this with reference to Pink.rs.
Details
"...bad things happened - the signature of the Ukrainian prime minister, who said that from 7 a.m. on January 1, gas would stop coming through Ukraine. This affected Slovakia and Austria. Slovakia is in the most difficult situation. As I have unofficially learned, Fico will go to see Putin on Monday...," Vucic said.
Context
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal had a conversation with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. They discussed the uninterrupted supply of natural gas in the winter, as well as the fact that Ukraine is ready to transit any gas other than Russian gas.
Shmyhal emphasized that Ukraine's agreement with Russia on gas transit expires on January 1, 2025 and will not be extended.
President Zelenskiy also said that Ukraine will not continue to transit Russian gas.
Zelensky reported that he had spoken with Robert Ficoon this topic.
Reuters reported that Fico was due to meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday to discuss his hopes for continued gas supplies through Ukraine.
Slovakia has a long-term contract with Gazprom, and it wants to continue receiving Russian gas through Ukraine, saying that buying gas elsewhere would cost the country 220 million euros ($231 million) more in transit and could also raise the price of gas in Europe.