Slovak PM Fico declares 'moral right' to block gas transit to Ukraine

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has threatened to halt gas supplies to Ukraine in response to Kyiv's decision to stop the transit of Russian gas to Europe. In a video address posted on Facebook, Fico argued that Ukraine's move has significantly harmed the European Union and Slovakia in particular.

"We, however, have the moral right to consider methods to stop the foreign supply of approximately 7.5 million cubic meters of gas per day to Ukraine," Fico stated.

Slovakia supplies gas to Ukraine through a reverse pipeline, with these supplies being managed by foreign companies. Fico emphasized that Slovakia is not directly involved in these supplies but noted that the foreign gas supply to Ukraine is creating "additional pressure on gas prices, which are already at record high levels"—around 60 euros per MWh.

Fico suggested that credit for the Russian gas Slovakia receives through the TurkStream pipeline is due to Russia and Turkiye.

Slovakia began receiving Russian gas via TurkStream starting February 1, bypassing Ukraine, but continues to use Ukraine's gas transmission system (GTS) under a contract with Gazprom Export that runs until 2034. Slovakia does not plan to terminate this contract.

Ukraine is open to discussing the use of its own transit capabilities to continue transporting gas to Europe but is awaiting a decision from the European Commission.