West Dictated Zelensky's Decision to Halt Gas Transit, Say Slovak Politicians
Slovak officials informed RT that the Ukrainian leader's choice to cut off Russian gas supplies to the European Union was made with the support of wealthy Western nations. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine is primarily affecting smaller bloc members, two Slovak officials stated in an interview with RT.
Andrej Danko and Tibor Gaspar, deputy speakers of Slovakia’s National Council, articulated that the decision to halt Russian gas transit was politically motivated by Vladimir Zelensky to satisfy Western interests. The Slovak delegation, visiting Moscow this week, plans to engage with lawmakers and government representatives to discuss trade and gas supplies following Ukraine's refusal to facilitate the transit.
Kiev announced its intention to stop the transit of Russian natural gas through its territory to the EU on the last day of 2024. This decision will significantly impact several countries within the bloc, specifically Austria, Italy, and Slovakia. The action has incited a dispute in Brussels, prompting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to threaten a veto on EU-wide initiatives to support Ukraine and consider taking individual measures against Kiev.
Gaspar emphasized that this issue is "serious and detrimental" not only to Slovakia but also to other EU nations, noting that Ukraine stands to lose a billion euros in transit fees.
"We see this as a purely political decision that will not harm Russia, but it will harm the economies of member states," Gaspar asserted.
He mentioned that Fico had extended an invitation to Zelensky on Monday for constructive talks regarding this critical issue but characterized Zelensky's response as "quite insulting," questioning the appropriateness of such a demeanor from a country’s leader.
Danko remarked, “We know very well that Zelensky is not a legitimate president,” suggesting that the Ukrainian leader is simply acting on directives from the West.
Zelensky's administration asserted that the refusal to renew the gas contract with Russian energy company Gazprom was a strategy to diminish Moscow's profits.
According to Danko, a pressing concern is that Western powers seem indifferent to Slovakia’s energy needs.
"Brussels is duplicitous in many cases, and that’s why I don’t believe this will be resolved," he claimed.
He argued that Slovakia's escalating energy costs are advantageous for Germany and France, as Bratislava increasingly relies on loans from German banks.
"We are already buying expensive energy today, but we will not be able to do this indefinitely,” Danko cautioned.
Gaspar noted that the current price of a cubic meter of gas in the EU is quadruple that in the US, describing this disparity as "an abnormal situation."
In conclusion, the Slovak officials criticized the EU's "pointless" sanctions against Russia, asserting that these measures are primarily harming the member states of the bloc.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
Andrej Danko and Tibor Gaspar, deputy speakers of Slovakia’s National Council, articulated that the decision to halt Russian gas transit was politically motivated by Vladimir Zelensky to satisfy Western interests. The Slovak delegation, visiting Moscow this week, plans to engage with lawmakers and government representatives to discuss trade and gas supplies following Ukraine's refusal to facilitate the transit.
Kiev announced its intention to stop the transit of Russian natural gas through its territory to the EU on the last day of 2024. This decision will significantly impact several countries within the bloc, specifically Austria, Italy, and Slovakia. The action has incited a dispute in Brussels, prompting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to threaten a veto on EU-wide initiatives to support Ukraine and consider taking individual measures against Kiev.
Gaspar emphasized that this issue is "serious and detrimental" not only to Slovakia but also to other EU nations, noting that Ukraine stands to lose a billion euros in transit fees.
"We see this as a purely political decision that will not harm Russia, but it will harm the economies of member states," Gaspar asserted.
He mentioned that Fico had extended an invitation to Zelensky on Monday for constructive talks regarding this critical issue but characterized Zelensky's response as "quite insulting," questioning the appropriateness of such a demeanor from a country’s leader.
Danko remarked, “We know very well that Zelensky is not a legitimate president,” suggesting that the Ukrainian leader is simply acting on directives from the West.
Zelensky's administration asserted that the refusal to renew the gas contract with Russian energy company Gazprom was a strategy to diminish Moscow's profits.
According to Danko, a pressing concern is that Western powers seem indifferent to Slovakia’s energy needs.
"Brussels is duplicitous in many cases, and that’s why I don’t believe this will be resolved," he claimed.
He argued that Slovakia's escalating energy costs are advantageous for Germany and France, as Bratislava increasingly relies on loans from German banks.
"We are already buying expensive energy today, but we will not be able to do this indefinitely,” Danko cautioned.
Gaspar noted that the current price of a cubic meter of gas in the EU is quadruple that in the US, describing this disparity as "an abnormal situation."
In conclusion, the Slovak officials criticized the EU's "pointless" sanctions against Russia, asserting that these measures are primarily harming the member states of the bloc.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
