Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has extended an invitation for his country to serve as a potential venue for discussions aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In a video message shared on Facebook late on Friday, Fico expressed his willingness to host peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, stating, “If anyone reaches out to us with an interest in organizing peace negotiations in Slovakia regarding the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, they can rely on our hospitality.”
The Prime Minister revealed that he had raised this proposal with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a surprise visit to Moscow, noting his satisfaction with the positive response received from Putin. The initiative was welcomed by Putin on Friday, signaling a potential opening for diplomatic efforts to address the crisis.
Known for his left-wing populist stance, Fico has been vocal in his criticism of the West’s approach to the Ukraine conflict. His recent trip to meet with Putin has sparked strong disapproval from Kiev and the European Union, underscoring the sensitive nature of diplomatic engagements in the region.
In a strategic move that intertwined a mediation offer with a warning, Fico cautioned Ukraine regarding its planned cessation of Russian gas transit through its territory starting January 1. Fico emphasized that should Ukraine proceed with this action, Slovakia would be compelled to take “appropriate countermeasures.” He specifically mentioned the possibility of cutting off electricity supplies crucial for Ukraine during times of supply constraints.
The decision by Ukraine to halt the transit of Russian gas on January 1 has triggered tensions, particularly impacting Slovakia, which stands to lose transit fees previously paid by Russia. Ukraine’s rationale behind this move is to curtail Moscow’s ability to fund its military operations by exporting gas to Europe, further complicating the geopolitical dynamics in the region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded sharply to Fico’s warnings, interpreting them as a directive from the Kremlin. Zelensky highlighted his concerns that Fico’s stance could unwittingly align Slovakia with Russia’s efforts to inflict additional hardships on the Ukrainian population, particularly through energy-related measures.
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine has managed to avert power shortages through the collective efforts of energy workers and collaboration with the EU. However, he underscored the potential ramifications of the gas transit dispute, asserting that Fico’s actions risk embroiling Slovakia in Russia’s aggressive tactics aimed at exacerbating the suffering of Ukrainians.
In a scathing rebuke, Zelensky condemned any form of support for Russian aggression as morally reprehensible, signaling his resolve to resist external pressures that could compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. The escalating tensions underscore the delicate balance of power dynamics and geopolitical interests at play in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
