Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has voiced sharp criticism of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, accusing him of maintaining Slovakia’s reliance on Russian gas at the expense of European security.
Zelensky’s remarks came on December 23, a day after Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The Ukrainian leader alleged that Fico’s policies favored Moscow and raised significant concerns for Slovakia and the continent.
“Why is this leader so dependent on Moscow? What is being paid to him, and what does he pay with?” Zelensky questioned in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Ukraine has repeatedly warned it will not extend a transit agreement for Russian gas, set to expire on January 1. The transit payments, Kyiv argues, have helped fund Russia’s nearly three-year war in Ukraine. Roughly half of Russia’s pipeline gas exports to Europe flow through Ukraine, making Slovakia, Italy, Austria, and the Czech Republic particularly vulnerable if the agreement lapses.
Slovakia, which relies heavily on a long-term contract with Russia’s Gazprom, argues that sourcing gas elsewhere would cost an additional €220 million in transit fees. Fico has maintained that securing Russian gas remains crucial for Slovakia, a stance Zelensky says compromises the nation’s sovereignty.
“Moscow provides significant discounts to Fico, but Slovakia pays for them in ways that compromise its independence or through shady schemes,” Zelensky alleged, urging Slovak authorities to investigate.
Zelensky raised the issue during a recent meeting of European leaders in Brussels, claiming that Fico has resisted efforts to ease Slovakia’s transition away from Russian gas. The Ukrainian president accused Fico of aiding Russia in sidelining American and other European energy resources, indirectly helping Moscow finance its war efforts.
“[Fico] wants to assist Russia in pushing American gas and energy resources of other partners away from Europe, implying that he wants to help Putin earn money to fund the war and weaken Europe,” Zelensky stated.
On December 22, Fico announced that Putin had assured him of Russia’s commitment to continue supplying gas to Slovakia. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov offered no further details.
Slovakia’s government has not commented on Zelensky’s accusations, leaving questions about its future energy strategy and the potential implications for European energy security unanswered.
