“Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, after the last exchange of sharp statements with President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, invited the head of Ukraine to a meeting to resolve problems with gas transit. Source: Fico on his Facebook page on Monday, writes “Europeyska Pravda” Details: The head of the Slovak government announced and signed an open letter to Zelensky.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, after the last exchange of sharp statements with President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, invited the head of Ukraine to a meeting to resolve problems with gas transit.
Source: Fico on his Facebook page on Monday, writes “European Truth”
Details: The head of the Slovak government announced that he had signed an open letter to Zelenskyi. It says that the decision to stop the transit of gas through Ukraine to Slovakia and other consumers causes great damage to Ukraine, Slovakia and the EU. Fico believes that this decision provokes various reactions, which “does not contribute to either bilateral or multilateral relations.”
Fico said he did not intend to respond to Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement from Sunday, January 12, because he had no “intention to further escalate tensions.” “I want to fully concentrate on solving the situation related to the suspension of gas transit,” the Slovak Prime Minister assured.
He called on the Ukrainian side to take an active part in further negotiations with Bratislava regarding gas and in the work of the special working group created for this purpose.
“I would like to continue a constructive and mutually respectful dialogue with the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal. Therefore, as the highest representative of the Slovak executive power, allow me to invite you to negotiations, preferably as soon as possible, fully understanding the seriousness of your work agenda,” urged Fico Zelensky.
He proposed that the meeting be held on Slovak territory near the state border between Slovakia and Ukraine.
“It is symbolic that you could use the direct railway connection from Kyiv to Košice, which is the result of the joint efforts of our governments, in order to reach the Slovak territory.
Such a meeting will create good prerequisites for an open discussion about the supply of gas to Slovakia and other countries through the territory of Ukraine, about possible technical solutions, taking into account the expiration of the contract between the relevant Ukrainian and Russian companies on December 31, 2024,” Fico noted.
In the letter, Fitso also emphasized that he has different views than Zelensky on a number of issues.
“First of all, I do not believe in the strategy that the continuation of mutual bloodshed in the war in Ukraine will lead to a strengthening of Ukraine’s position in possible peace negotiations. In all my trips abroad, I emphasize the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, support existing peace plans and propose that peace negotiations at any level take place in Slovakia as well,” Fico said.
“I also have a different opinion about your decision to stop gas transit through Ukraine. My position is not the only one in Europe. Even if I do not consider the fact that the Slovak Republic loses 500 million euros a year due to the termination of gas transit absolutely decisive,” he added .
Recently, Fico harshly criticized Ukraine as an unreliable partner and stated that he was fed up with how President Zelensky travels around Europe and “begs” and “blackmails others”.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy on January 12 responded scathingly to Fitso’s insults.
Watch the new “EP” video about new threats from Slovakia and how Russian gas is blocking our entry into the EU.