Slovakia
Poland did not refuse the Slovak delegation to fly to Moscow, but only asked for additional documents. The Slovak side decided to change the route itself, and relations between the countries remain good.
From January 4 to January 10, 2025, 508 thousand people crossed the Ukrainian border, which is 16. 9% more than the previous week. The largest flow was observed on January 4-5, when more than 105 thousand people crossed the border daily.
Ukraine's President criticized Slovakia's Prime Minister for refusing Ukrainian gas transit assistance. Zelenskyy calls Fico's bet on cooperation with Russia a losing proposition from the start.
A delegation from the Slovak parliament traveled to Russia to discuss gas supplies and the war in Ukraine. Due to Poland's ban, the delegation changed its route and flew via the Czech Republic and Germany.
Slovakia's prime minister announced guaranteed supplies of 3-3. 5 billion cubic meters of Russian gas to the country. If the situation with gas transit through Ukraine does not change, he threatens to suspend aid and veto further support.
Serbia lost its daily supply of 1. 7 million cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan due to force majeure. President Vucic said that the timing of the resumption of supplies is currently unknown.
Peter Pellegrini canceled his visit to Kyiv because of Ukraine's suspension of Russian gas transit on January 1. He said that this step threatens Slovakia's energy security.
The European Commission and Slovakia are forming a working group to assess the consequences of the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine. The group will consider the economic impact and possible compensation for Slovakia.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi responded to the Slovak prime minister's statements about stopping gas transit through Ukraine. He emphasized that the problem is Russia and the unwillingness of some European countries to get rid of energy dependence.
Ukraine has set an example for European countries in refusing to use Russian nuclear fuel for Soviet-designed reactors. Three EU countries already use Westinghouse fuel, and two more are preparing to switch.
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is considering vetoing EU decisions on Ukraine because of the suspension of Russian gas transit. The country may lose 1.5 billion euros due to the lack of transit.
The Ukrainian Embassy protested Andriy Danko's plans to visit Moscow with a parliamentary delegation. Diplomats urged Slovakia to refrain from contact with Russia and reminded of the historical consequences of such decisions.
Slovakia's Prime Minister accuses Zelenskiy of “sabotage” over the suspension of Russian gas transit. Fico plans to discuss with the European Commissioner compensation for losses of €1.5 billion.
The President of Ukraine commented on Trump's statement about understanding Russia's position on Ukraine's accession to NATO. Zelenskyy emphasized that the lack of security guarantees was one of the reasons for the war.
The Deputy Minister of Energy reported that the power system was balanced with no restrictions on electricity supply. 2024 was the most difficult year due to 13 massive attacks on energy infrastructure.
The Czech Ministry of Defense allocated 166. 8 billion CZK for defense in 2024, which is 2.09% of GDP. The opposition is demanding explanations for the transparency of December's spending.
Poland's climate minister has declared her readiness to increase electricity supplies to Ukraine if Slovakia stops supplying it. This is a response to Slovak Prime Minister Fico's threats of a possible cutoff of energy supplies.
The European Commission canceled a trilateral meeting with Slovakia and Ukraine on stopping the transit of Russian gas due to the absence of the Ukrainian side. Slovakia is waiting for a new date for consultations.
Slovak operator SEPS has confirmed that it will continue to supply electricity to Ukraine as part of emergency assistance. In 11 months of 2023, electricity exports from Slovakia to Ukraine tripled.
In Bratislava, 4,000 people protested against Prime Minister Fico's pro-Russian policies. Protesters with EU flags accused Fico of “treason” and called on him to “go to Moscow.
Since the beginning of martial law in Ukraine, more than 50 people have died trying to cross the border illegally. Half of the deaths occurred in 2024, in particular, while trying to cross the Tisa River.
The State Border Guard Service reports a decrease in attempts to illegally cross the border in recent days. Violators use various disguises, including special equipment and joining funeral processions.
Two men dressed as railroad workers and trying to illegally enter Slovakia were detained in Zakarpattia. The offenders and their guides were detained near the border fence.
Robert Fico announced that the Smer party is ready to reduce support for Ukrainian citizens in Slovakia. This is a reaction to the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, which resulted in a loss of 5 billion euros in revenue.
Gas prices in Europe rose by 4. 3% after transit through Ukraine was cut off. Traders predict further price increases due to winter frosts and limited alternative supply routes.
On January 1, 2025, Ukraine stopped the transit of Russian gas through its territory. The EU declares its readiness for change, although the reaction of member states is mixed, ranging from support to concern.
Robert Fico said that the termination of Russian gas transit through Ukraine would have a negative impact on the EU, but not on Russia. Fico announced a “two-track policy” for 2025, focused on all sides of the world.
The Minister of Energy announced that Ukraine's gas system is fully prepared to operate without Russian transit. Ukrainians will not feel any changes in gas and heat supply.
Russia has stopped gas supplies through Ukraine after the transit agreement expires on January 1, 2025. The Czech Republic is ready to provide Slovakia with gas transportation capacity in response to this situation.
The Czech Republic is ready to provide Slovakia with capacities for natural gas transportation and storage. This decision was taken against the background of the termination of Russian gas transit by Ukraine through its territory.