The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, harshly criticized the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, for his refusal to help Ukraine in the transition from Russian gas to alternative sources of energy supply. In his statement on the X platform, Zelensky emphasized that Slovakia's "arrogant" refusal caused the country's current gas problems.
According to Zelenskyi, Ukraine warned European partners in advance, in particular Slovakia, about a possible stoppage of transit of Russian gas through Ukrainian territory. Instead, Fico, as the Ukrainian president said, "made a bet on Moscow", ignoring warnings and offers of help.
"You can't just do nothing and wait. But he chose this particular path, shifting the blame to others," Zelensky emphasized.
The situation took a new turn when Slovak President Peter Pellegrini canceled a planned visit to Ukraine after the Russian gas transit was stopped. Instead, the parliamentary delegation of Slovakia went to Russia for negotiations, although the Polish side prohibited their plane from flying through its territory.
Robert Fitso, for his part, threatened to block additional aid to Ukraine from the European Union, arguing that his country should focus on its own interests.
Zelensky expressed hope that Europe will be able to overcome the difficulties caused, in his words, by the "short-sightedness of individual European figures." He emphasized that the unification of Europe and the transition to alternative energy sources is not only an economic, but also a political necessity.
This gas dispute is another test for European unity and cooperation between Ukraine and its Western partners. Time will tell whether Europe will be able to solve these problems.
