Fico: We Will Respond If Zelensky Misrepresented Gas Information to Slovakia

Bratislava – Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has warned of potential retaliatory measures against Ukraine, suggesting that if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has manipulated Slovakia regarding gas supplies, the government may reconsider its financial aid to Ukraine. Fico made this statement on social media following technical issues that led to the closure of airspace over Brussels, which caused him to miss a crucial meeting. TASR reports.

The Prime Minister’s meeting with representatives from the European Commission (EC) concerning the halt of Russian natural gas transit through Slovakia was originally scheduled for Thursday. Fico indicated that this discussion would be rescheduled for Monday (February 3) during an extraordinary EU summit in Brussels focused on defense.

The agenda for the original meeting included discussions about gas transit from Ukraine to Slovakia and Central Europe, involving European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Fico stated, “If I see that Zelenskyj led us by the nose, I will proceed with reciprocity in the next measure, such as financial aid for Ukraine.” After a prior meeting with Jørgensen on January 9, the Prime Minister hinted at using his veto power in the EU Council to block further financial assistance to Ukraine as a form of retaliation against Kyiv.

On Thursday, he pointed out the severe consequences of the Ukrainian president’s decision to halt gas transit, labeling it “catastrophic.” He emphasized the stark price difference in energy, noting that today’s price for one megawatt-hour of gas was 53 euros, compared to only eight or nine euros in the United States. “While we are managing domestic consumption for now, we face challenges in filling our storage tanks for 2026. Moreover, we are losing substantial revenue from transit fees,” Fico added. (January 30)

“If I see that Zelenskyj led us by the nose, I will proceed with reciprocity in the next measure, such as financial aid for Ukraine.” Robert Fico.