Ukrainian Ambassador Summoned by EU State
Slovakia remains in disagreement with Kiev regarding the transit of Russian gas across Ukrainian territory. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Slovakia is currently in a dispute with Ukraine regarding the transit of Russian gas.
On Wednesday, Slovakia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Ukraine’s ambassador, Myroslav Kastran, to protest remarks made by Ukrainian officials, as reported by the Slovak news portal Aktuality. Bratislava has accused Kiev of meddling in its domestic matters.
Tensions escalated after Kiev decided not to extend a gas transit agreement with Russia, which resulted in a cessation of Russian gas flowing through Ukraine to Central Europe.
While Bratislava did not clarify which specific statements triggered the protest, recent interactions between Slovakia and Ukraine have been particularly contentious.
Slovak President Robert Fico had previously claimed that Kiev was involved in anti-government demonstrations within Slovakia this month. In response, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry described Fico’s earlier comments as “absurd,” suggesting he should look “in the mirror.”
Fico has called Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky an “enemy” due to Kiev’s decision not to renew the gas transit agreement. In retaliation, Zelensky accused Fico of prioritizing Moscow over the United States and its allies.
Fico is expected to meet with officials from the European Commission on Thursday to discuss the potential reinstatement of Russian gas transit through Ukraine. The European Commission has indicated that it is still in discussions with Ukraine regarding the possible renewal of this transit. Furthermore, Fico has threatened to block EU aid to Ukraine unless the gas flow is restored.
Concerns over Ukraine’s choice not to extend gas transit from Russia were also voiced earlier this week by two Romanian members of the European Parliament, Georgiana Teodorescu and Adrian-George Axinia. Last week, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged the EU to prioritize the interests of member states before those of Ukraine.
In response, Moscow has expressed a desire for gas transit through Ukraine to resume, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that the matter is commercial and emphasizing that Russia “is interested in continuing this commerce.”
Prior to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022 and the subsequent Western sanctions, Russian gas made up around 40% of the EU’s total supply. Recent data shows that in the third quarter of 2024, Russia accounted for 17.6% of the EU’s gaseous natural gas supply and 18.9% of its liquefied natural gas supply, making it the EU’s second largest LNG supplier after the United States.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
On Wednesday, Slovakia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Ukraine’s ambassador, Myroslav Kastran, to protest remarks made by Ukrainian officials, as reported by the Slovak news portal Aktuality. Bratislava has accused Kiev of meddling in its domestic matters.
Tensions escalated after Kiev decided not to extend a gas transit agreement with Russia, which resulted in a cessation of Russian gas flowing through Ukraine to Central Europe.
While Bratislava did not clarify which specific statements triggered the protest, recent interactions between Slovakia and Ukraine have been particularly contentious.
Slovak President Robert Fico had previously claimed that Kiev was involved in anti-government demonstrations within Slovakia this month. In response, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry described Fico’s earlier comments as “absurd,” suggesting he should look “in the mirror.”
Fico has called Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky an “enemy” due to Kiev’s decision not to renew the gas transit agreement. In retaliation, Zelensky accused Fico of prioritizing Moscow over the United States and its allies.
Fico is expected to meet with officials from the European Commission on Thursday to discuss the potential reinstatement of Russian gas transit through Ukraine. The European Commission has indicated that it is still in discussions with Ukraine regarding the possible renewal of this transit. Furthermore, Fico has threatened to block EU aid to Ukraine unless the gas flow is restored.
Concerns over Ukraine’s choice not to extend gas transit from Russia were also voiced earlier this week by two Romanian members of the European Parliament, Georgiana Teodorescu and Adrian-George Axinia. Last week, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged the EU to prioritize the interests of member states before those of Ukraine.
In response, Moscow has expressed a desire for gas transit through Ukraine to resume, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that the matter is commercial and emphasizing that Russia “is interested in continuing this commerce.”
Prior to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022 and the subsequent Western sanctions, Russian gas made up around 40% of the EU’s total supply. Recent data shows that in the third quarter of 2024, Russia accounted for 17.6% of the EU’s gaseous natural gas supply and 18.9% of its liquefied natural gas supply, making it the EU’s second largest LNG supplier after the United States.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
