Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has spoken harshly about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him an “enemy” for stopping the transit of Russian gas through Ukrainian territory. This was reported by the Slovak media outlet Dennik N.
Fico said that Bratislava wants to continue receiving gas from Russia and insists on transporting it through Ukraine.
“Our enemy is Zelensky. He created the problems we have. I don’t like him because he harms Slovakia,” the Prime Minister said during a meeting of the parliament’s economic committee.
Accusations of “cover-up manoeuvres”
The Slovakian prime minister also questioned Zelenskyy’s statement about the possibility of gas transit from Azerbaijan to Europe, calling it a “cover-up manoeuvre”.
“What else could Mr Zelensky do but talk about some gas from Azerbaijan? He’s blowing soap bubbles again, thinking that this will free him from making difficult decisions,” Fico said.
He also threatened to block any future decision to provide aid to Ukraine. On 30 January, Fico plans to discuss gas transit with the European Commission.
An attempt to meet in Davos
Fico said that he had intended to meet with Zelenskyy on 21 January during the World Economic Forum in Davos to discuss the gas situation, but the meeting did not take place.
“I was ready for the meeting in Davos. Do you know what Zelensky did? He sent me the minutes of a meeting that I hadn’t even held yet. The minutes already spelled out what we should do for Ukraine, including supporting its membership in NATO. There was not a single word about gas,” Fico said.
According to him, this confirms Zelensky’s “unwillingness to change his political position”.
The Slovak prime minister’s harsh statements once again demonstrate the tensions between Bratislava and Kyiv, particularly over energy issues and the EU’s continued support for Ukraine.
