Bratislava – Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) stated on Monday that the gas Ukraine buys on the European market largely originates from Russia. This remark was made ahead of an extraordinary EU summit scheduled for Thursday, March 6, in Brussels. He indicated that Slovakia will advocate for an explicit request for Ukraine to resume the transit of Russian or other gas through its territory in the summit’s conclusions, as reported by TASR.
“Ukraine is blocking the transit of Russian gas to Europe and Slovakia because it opposes Russia in the ongoing conflict. Ironically, Ukraine itself continues to purchase Russian gas, thereby indirectly supporting Russia,” the Slovak prime minister explained.
He noted that foreign traders utilizing EU regulations supply Ukraine with an average of 10.5 million cubic meters (m³) of gas daily, with peak deliveries reaching approximately 15 million m³.
“These foreign traders acquire gas in the European market, transport it through Slovak pipelines, and send it to Ukraine. Therefore, the gas that Ukraine secures from the European market is of Russian origin,” he asserted.
Fico reiterated Slovakia’s proposal to the EU summit, stressing the need for an explicit request to Ukraine to allow the transit of Russian or other gas through its territory to Slovakia and Europe.
“Both Europe and Slovakia are suffering as a result,” the prime minister remarked. He also warned that dismissing Slovakia’s proposal could severely hinder the consensus at the Brussels summit.
He pointed out that during the March 6 summit, the EU is set to propose new substantial financial and military aid for Ukraine. However, he criticized the Union for not demanding anything in return from Ukraine and for “tolerating significant harm to the entire EU’s interests,” which results from high gas prices impacting competitiveness. Fico argued that the EU also overlooks serious violations of the interests of its member states, including Slovakia and others.
He emphasized that EU companies assert that Europe cannot remain competitive without the resumption of gas transit from Ukraine.
“The halt in transit has not adversely affected Russia; in fact, it has benefited from soaring gas prices and is earning significantly more than before,” the prime minister concluded. (March 3)
“Foreign traders buy gas on the European market, put it into Slovak pipelines and push it towards Ukraine. The gas that Ukraine purchases on the European market is of Russian origin.” Robert Fico
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