“Meeting in Kyiv: Addressing Gas Transit and Backing Ukraine’s EU Membership”

Bratislava – Negotiations regarding gas transit from Ukraine to Slovakia are on the table, with Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky expressing their willingness to engage with Slovak officials. While the opposition supports Ukraine’s aspirations to join the EU, discussions about NATO membership were notably absent. This information was shared by representatives of the Progressive Slovakia (PS) party following their discussions with Ukrainian officials, during a press conference held on Saturday, as reported by TASR.

“The primary focus of our discussions with President Zelensky and other representatives of the Ukrainian government centered around gas transit and exploring ways to resume this transit,” stated PS Chairman Michal Šimečka. “It is both our national and economic interest to foster strong relations with Ukraine and work collaboratively to address the gas transit issue,” he emphasized.

Šimečka noted that President Zelensky is open to negotiations concerning the transit matter. “We are specifically discussing the transit of non-Russian gas, and such technical solutions have been suggested by the media as part of government proposals,” he reminded. He urged Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to initiate discussions aimed at crafting a constructive technical agreement, while also calling for a change in communication style.

He further highlighted that it was evident from his conversation with the Ukrainian president that the Ukrainian side was not responsible for any disruption of previously reached agreements, contrary to the Prime Minister’s claims. “While discussions took place, it was the Prime Minister’s trip to Moscow and his criticisms of President Zelensky that derailed the talks,” the opposition leader asserted.

Former Slovak Foreign Minister and PS member Ivan Korčok remarked that the Ukrainian side clearly appreciates the solidarity and support Slovakia has extended during challenging times. However, he also indicated their disappointment with the criticisms directed at Ukraine by coalition politicians amidst their struggle against foreign aggression. “It seems as though the Slovak government is treating Ukraine as if it were an adversary,” he mentioned. Korčok criticized the current government’s “significant economic passivity” and pointed out that no government representatives have visited Kyiv to date. He stressed that the strength and quality of Slovak-Ukrainian relations are crucial for future cooperation on Ukraine’s reconstruction post-conflict.

PS representatives also refuted Prime Minister Fico’s assertion that they had expressed support for Ukraine’s NATO membership during discussions with Ukrainian officials.

“That topic was not addressed; our support was specifically for Ukraine’s EU integration ambitions, which align with our economic interests,” Šimečka clarified. (January 18)

“The President of Ukraine is ready to negotiate on the transit issue. Of course, we are talking about the transit of non-Russian gas, but such technical solutions were also foreseen by the media proposals of the Slovak government.” Michal Šimečka