SaS Responds to Fico’s Brussels Speech: Reciprocal Measures Against Ukraine Could Hurt Slovakia’s Economy

Bratislava – Members of the opposition party Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) are expressing their discontent with the recent meeting between Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and officials from the European Commission (EC), which occurred on Thursday in Brussels. The discussion focused on the suspended deliveries of Russian gas through Ukraine. SaS claims that the government has had ample time to establish alternative gas supply routes for Slovakia, and that any retaliatory actions against Ukraine would disproportionately affect Slovakia, as reported by TASR.

“It is simply unfathomable that just one day prior to this meeting with the EU Commissioner for Energy, Robert Fico referred to Russia as a reliable partner,” stated party leader Branislav Gröhling. He suggests that the Prime Minister is swayed by Moscow’s rhetoric when advocating positions to the European Commission.

Energy spokesman Karol Galek pointed out that if Russian oil transit to Slovakia were to cease, it was not due to Ukraine’s unilateral withdrawal, but rather the formal termination of a five-year agreement between the two nations. He asserted that the government should have prioritized finding alternative gas supply routes before the contract expired at the end of 2024.

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s proposed reciprocal measure of halting electricity supplies to Ukraine, Galek warned that Slovak citizens would bear the brunt of such a decision. “If electricity ceases to flow through Slovakia to Ukraine, it will result in higher costs for Slovak consumers. I make this statement with complete seriousness,” he stressed.

According to Galek, supplying electricity to Ukraine not only benefits Slovak producers but also supports the Slovak Electricity and Transmission System (SEPS). He cautioned, “If we lose these capacities, we will face financial losses from these resources, and we would also need to compensate suppliers to whom these capacities were allocated,” he explained. (January 9)

“It is simply unfathomable that just one day prior to this meeting, Robert Fico referred to Russia as a reliable partner.” Branislav Gröhling