Zelenskyy accuses Slovak Prime Minister Fico

In a post on his social media account, Zelenskyy evaluated the statement by Slovak Prime Minister Fico, who suggested that they could stop electricity supplies to Ukraine if Ukraine blocks the transit of Russian natural gas starting January 1.

Arguing that Russian President Vladimir Putin has "instructed Fico to open a second energy front against Ukraine at the expense of the interests of the Slovak people," Zelenskyy stated, "This is the only meaning that can be attributed to Fico's threat to cut off emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine in winter, in the face of Russia's attacks on our power plants and distribution networks."

Zelenskyy noted that the reasons for Ukraine's need for electricity imports are Russia's occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and its deliberate missile and drone (UAV) attacks on Ukraine's thermal and hydroelectric power production facilities, and added the following:

"Thanks to the heroic work of our energy engineers and our cooperation with the EU, the US, the UK, Norway, Japan, and our other partners, we have prevented a blackout in Ukraine. Now Fico is dragging Slovakia into Russia's attempts to make Ukrainians suffer. We would like to remind Fico, first of all, that supporting Russia's criminal aggression is immoral. Secondly, Fico's shortsighted policy has left the Slovak people without compensation due to the loss of Russian natural gas transit, and it could also deprive the Slovak people of at least 200 million dollars that Ukraine pays annually for imported electricity."

Zelenskyy provided information that Slovakia's share in Ukraine's electricity imports is around 19 percent and stated, "The Ukrainian government is working with our neighbors in the EU to ensure the necessary electricity imports. Slovakia is part of the single European energy market, and Fico must respect European rules. Arbitrary decisions made in Bratislava or orders given to Fico from Moscow regarding electricity will not lead to a halt in electricity imports to Ukraine, but it is certain that they will lead to a rift between the current Slovak government and the European community."

News Source: AA