Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has launched a scathing attack on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, blaming him for Slovakia’s current energy struggles. “Our enemy is Zelensky. Zelensky has caused the problems we have. I don’t like him because he is harmful to Slovakia,” Fico declared, escalating tensions between the two countries.
Fico’s anger stems from Ukraine’s refusal to continue transporting Russian gas through its territory, a move that has financially impacted Slovakia. The prime minister argues that Slovakia has been forced to rely on gas reserves while losing crucial transit fees, which were previously managed by the semi-state company Eustream.
Bringing up past grievances, Fico also criticized former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko for failing to supply gas to Slovakia during the 2009 energy crisis when Russian gas flows were halted due to a dispute between Moscow and Kyiv. At the time, Slovakia had to impose restrictions on industrial gas consumption to cope with the shortfall.
With Slovakia’s long-term energy security at stake, Fico continues to push for the resumption of gas transit through Ukraine. His latest remarks signal a deepening rift between Bratislava and Kyiv, as economic concerns fuel political hostilities.
