EU nation warns Ukraine of potential electricity shutdowns
Slovakia's prime minister has issued a warning about potentially halting electricity supplies to Ukraine amid a dispute concerning Russian gas transit. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Slovakia has indicated a potential response if Ukraine ceases the transportation of Russian gas. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has suggested that the country may cut electricity supplies to Ukraine.
Slovakia's economy significantly depends on Russian gas, which it receives through aging Soviet-era pipelines that traverse Ukrainian territory. Earlier this month, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal announced that starting in 2025, Ukraine would stop transporting Russian gas, opting instead to use its pipeline system for alternative suppliers. The existing contract with Russia will expire on December 31, and Ukraine has confirmed it will not be renewing this agreement.
“After January 1, we will assess the situation and potential reciprocal measures against Ukraine,” Fico stated in a video message on Facebook. “If necessary, we will stop supplying electricity that Ukraine urgently needs during network outages.” He also mentioned that Bratislava could consider additional retaliatory actions.
Fico expressed that halting the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine is not a mere political maneuver, describing it as "an extremely costly move, one that we, in the European Union, will pay for."
In his Facebook post, he asserted that by terminating the transit agreement, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky "will cause billions worth of damages to the EU, including the Slovak Republic, and there will be a further reduction of the EU’s competitiveness."
Ukrainian officials have taken issue with Fico's recent visit to Moscow, contending that Slovakia and Hungary's "pro-Russian" positions are harming the EU’s reputation and undermining the bloc’s commitment to support Ukraine.
This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked that Ukraine’s decision to end the transit deal was effectively "punishing" EU countries as they navigate the ongoing energy crisis.
“We have always stood for [energy] supplies, for the depoliticization of economic issues. We have never refused supplies to Europe,” Putin commented.
As of now, Ukraine has not publicly responded to the potential sanctions from Slovakia. According to Bloomberg, a source familiar with the situation mentioned that Ukraine's possible counter-strategy could involve stopping the transport of Russian oil to Slovakia.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
Slovakia's economy significantly depends on Russian gas, which it receives through aging Soviet-era pipelines that traverse Ukrainian territory. Earlier this month, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal announced that starting in 2025, Ukraine would stop transporting Russian gas, opting instead to use its pipeline system for alternative suppliers. The existing contract with Russia will expire on December 31, and Ukraine has confirmed it will not be renewing this agreement.
“After January 1, we will assess the situation and potential reciprocal measures against Ukraine,” Fico stated in a video message on Facebook. “If necessary, we will stop supplying electricity that Ukraine urgently needs during network outages.” He also mentioned that Bratislava could consider additional retaliatory actions.
Fico expressed that halting the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine is not a mere political maneuver, describing it as "an extremely costly move, one that we, in the European Union, will pay for."
In his Facebook post, he asserted that by terminating the transit agreement, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky "will cause billions worth of damages to the EU, including the Slovak Republic, and there will be a further reduction of the EU’s competitiveness."
Ukrainian officials have taken issue with Fico's recent visit to Moscow, contending that Slovakia and Hungary's "pro-Russian" positions are harming the EU’s reputation and undermining the bloc’s commitment to support Ukraine.
This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked that Ukraine’s decision to end the transit deal was effectively "punishing" EU countries as they navigate the ongoing energy crisis.
“We have always stood for [energy] supplies, for the depoliticization of economic issues. We have never refused supplies to Europe,” Putin commented.
As of now, Ukraine has not publicly responded to the potential sanctions from Slovakia. According to Bloomberg, a source familiar with the situation mentioned that Ukraine's possible counter-strategy could involve stopping the transport of Russian oil to Slovakia.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
