EU nation’s Prime Minister threatens to veto Ukraine aid
Slovakia may block the EU's aid packages for Kiev and implement additional actions if the country does not restart the transit of Russian gas, according to PM Robert Fico. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Slovakia may impede aid packages for Ukraine if it does not resume Russian gas transit, according to Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Fico indicated that Slovakia could exercise its veto power against EU-wide initiatives aimed at supporting Ukraine and may take independent action as well. He cautioned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky about damaging the European Union “for political reasons.”
This warning came during an interview with Slovak broadcaster ta3 on Sunday, where Fico discussed the ongoing dispute over gas transit with Ukraine. Earlier this year, Ukraine decided to end the transit of Russian natural gas through its territory to the EU, resulting in reduced gas supplies to several EU member states, including Austria, Italy, and Slovakia.
“If President Zelensky decides to harm the whole EU purely for political reasons, I speak for the Slovak government that when some aid for Ukraine is on the negotiating table, I will veto it,” Fico declared.
Other potential retaliatory actions against Ukraine could involve suspending emergency electricity supplies, stopping humanitarian aid deliveries, or cutting benefits for Ukrainian refugees living in Slovakia, according to Fico.
He reiterated his accusations against Ukraine, claiming that approximately half of the funds sent there are “destined” to be misappropriated and asserting that widespread corruption in the nation is widely recognized.
Fico has consistently criticized Western assistance to Ukraine, arguing that the country cannot achieve a victory against Russia militarily and should pursue diplomatic avenues instead. After taking office in late 2023, Fico halted military aid to Ukraine and pledged to block Ukraine’s possible accession to NATO.
The already tense relationship between Bratislava and Kiev has worsened due to the gas transit issue. Slovakia, a landlocked nation, relies heavily on Russian gas, with over 50% of its supply coming through the Ukrainian transit network.
Recently, Fico expressed frustration with Zelensky, mentioning that he has occasionally felt “sick” of him and stating he was not “here to hold hands” with the Ukrainian leader. “He roams Europe begging and blackmailing, asking others for money,” Fico told the Slovak parliament’s foreign affairs committee. “This needs to stop.”
In response, Ukraine has declined to renew its gas contract, citing a desire to eliminate profits for Russia. Prime Minister Denis Shmigal confirmed last week that Kiev does not intend to sign another agreement with Moscow.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
Fico indicated that Slovakia could exercise its veto power against EU-wide initiatives aimed at supporting Ukraine and may take independent action as well. He cautioned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky about damaging the European Union “for political reasons.”
This warning came during an interview with Slovak broadcaster ta3 on Sunday, where Fico discussed the ongoing dispute over gas transit with Ukraine. Earlier this year, Ukraine decided to end the transit of Russian natural gas through its territory to the EU, resulting in reduced gas supplies to several EU member states, including Austria, Italy, and Slovakia.
“If President Zelensky decides to harm the whole EU purely for political reasons, I speak for the Slovak government that when some aid for Ukraine is on the negotiating table, I will veto it,” Fico declared.
Other potential retaliatory actions against Ukraine could involve suspending emergency electricity supplies, stopping humanitarian aid deliveries, or cutting benefits for Ukrainian refugees living in Slovakia, according to Fico.
He reiterated his accusations against Ukraine, claiming that approximately half of the funds sent there are “destined” to be misappropriated and asserting that widespread corruption in the nation is widely recognized.
Fico has consistently criticized Western assistance to Ukraine, arguing that the country cannot achieve a victory against Russia militarily and should pursue diplomatic avenues instead. After taking office in late 2023, Fico halted military aid to Ukraine and pledged to block Ukraine’s possible accession to NATO.
The already tense relationship between Bratislava and Kiev has worsened due to the gas transit issue. Slovakia, a landlocked nation, relies heavily on Russian gas, with over 50% of its supply coming through the Ukrainian transit network.
Recently, Fico expressed frustration with Zelensky, mentioning that he has occasionally felt “sick” of him and stating he was not “here to hold hands” with the Ukrainian leader. “He roams Europe begging and blackmailing, asking others for money,” Fico told the Slovak parliament’s foreign affairs committee. “This needs to stop.”
In response, Ukraine has declined to renew its gas contract, citing a desire to eliminate profits for Russia. Prime Minister Denis Shmigal confirmed last week that Kiev does not intend to sign another agreement with Moscow.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
