Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened to cut off back up power supplies to Ukraine if Kyiv stops transporting Russian gas to central Europe.
“After January 1, we will assess the situation and potential reciprocal measures against Ukraine,” Fico said in a video posted on Facebook on Friday evening. “If necessary, we will stop supplying electricity that Ukraine urgently needs during network outages.”
Russian gas that flows through Ukraine to Europe will halt at the end of the year when the current deal expires if an alternative cannot be found. Slovakia is one of the biggest remaining buyers and has been cranking up the pressure on Ukraine to find a solution.
Fico threatened to retaliate if Volodymyr Zelensky does not give him what he wants and the comments on Friday are his strongest warning yet.
Russia stepped up missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since March, destroying half of power generating capacities and causing blackouts across the country. Ukraine heavily relies on imports, including from Slovakia.
Slovakia still receives Russian oil that transits Ukraine through the Druzhba pipeline. Halting supplies could be a possible countermove for Kyiv if Slovakia stops electricity exports, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified discussing politically sensitive matters.