go to the original language article
“`html
Bratislava – The chairman of the coalition party Hlas-SD and the Minister of the Interior of the Slovak Republic Matúš Šutaj Eštok criticizes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his statements that Slovakia is responsible for its own gas problems. He tells him that he should primarily strive for peace, not attack a neighboring country that has been helping him since the beginning of the military conflict. This was reported to TASR by the press department of Hlas-SD.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday evening criticized Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on the social network X in connection with his recent visit to Moscow. According to him, Kyiv wanted to help Slovakia before stopping gas transit through Ukraine, but Fico “arrogantly refused” this offer, despite warnings from many EU politicians. However, he believes the problem lies in the fact that Fico bet on Moscow, not on his country or a united Europe.
After last week’s meeting with European Commission representatives, Fico told reporters that stopping the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine from January 1 of this year is economically detrimental not only to Slovakia but to the entire EU. However, EU representatives did not present such concerns after January 1.
“President Zelensky should focus on the complicated situation in his country and not attack a neighbor who has been helping him since the beginning of the war. I ask him, on behalf of the citizens of Ukraine, to do everything possible to start peace negotiations,” said Šutaj Eštok, declaring that Slovakia will stand by him in these negotiations.
Šutaj Eštok also mentioned the unfavorable statements of Zelensky towards Slovakia. He does not understand the “nonsensical and untrue attacks” from the President of Ukraine, to whom Slovakia has selflessly helped with hundreds of millions of euros. He reminds that it was the citizens of Slovakia who helped Ukraine and showed fleeing Ukrainians what Slovak solidarity means.
“The taxes of Slovak citizens went to help Ukraine. And it is these citizens of Slovakia who will have more expensive gas and food due to the senseless stoppage of Russian gas by President Zelensky,” emphasized Šutaj Eštok.
At the end of 2024, the contract for the transit of Russian natural gas through the territory of Ukraine expired. Kyiv decided not to renew the contract. Fico had repeatedly warned before about the loss of half a billion euros per year for Slovakia, and for the European Union as a whole, he estimated the financial burden to be 60 to 70 billion euros. (January 13)
“President Zelensky should focus on the complicated situation in his country and not attack a neighbor who has been helping him since the beginning of the war. I ask him, on behalf of the citizens of Ukraine, to do everything possible to start peace negotiations.” Matúš Šutaj Eštok
“`