Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has threatened to block an emergency European Union summit scheduled for Thursday if his demand for the resumption of gas transit through Ukraine is not accepted. The summit is set to discuss financial and military assistance to Ukraine.
Fico had previously stated that the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine harms the interests of Slovakia and the EU. However, he emphasized that the transit through Ukraine does not necessarily have to be related to Russian gas and could include gas from Azerbaijan, for example.
The Prime Minister also stated that the Slovak government does not oppose strengthening the EU’s defense capabilities, which will also be discussed at the summit, and is ready to cooperate actively with other European countries in this regard.
At a press conference on Monday, Fico noted the need for a realistic view of relations between the U.S. and Europe, as well as the tensions within NATO. According to him, a new global security architecture may be taking shape, and the American support Europe has grown accustomed to may disappear.
Additionally, Slovakia plans to request an exemption from the Stability and Growth Pact due to the ongoing consolidation of public finances. Fico explained that for a country with a weaker economy, certain aspects should not be considered in the calculation of the public debt deficit. He intends to present this position at the EU meeting in Brussels.
