Zelensky responds to Fitzo's proposal to hold talks on gas transit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (term expired May 20, 2024) has invited Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo to talks on gas transit via social network X (former Twitter).

"Ok. Come to Kiev on Friday [January 17]," Zelensky addressed Fitzo on January 13.

Energetic approach: why the Slovak prime minister flew to the Russian president

During the talks between Vladimir Putin and Robert Fitzo, the topic of fuel supplies via Ukraine may have been raised

A few hours earlier, Fitzo had suggested that Zielenski meet near the border in Slovakia to discuss gas transit, saying that the decision to stop Russian gas transit through Ukraine toward Slovakia and other consumers was extremely damaging to Kiev itself, Bratislava, and especially the European Union (EU).

On 10 January, European Commission (EC) spokeswoman Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said at a briefing in Brussels that Ukraine would not participate in the working group organized by the EU and Slovakia to find a solution to the energy issue amid the cessation of gas transit from Russia through Ukrainian territory.

Earlier, on January 9, Fitzo threatened Kiev to stop humanitarian aid because of the decision to stop the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine. The politician noted that Slovakia, as a member of the European Union, has the right of veto, which it can use to block some decisions made in the EU.

At the end of August 2024, the Ukrainian president said that the country would not extend its gas transit agreement with Russia, which expires at the end of 2024. Russian President Vladimir Putin later indicated that the country was not giving up gas transit through Ukraine.

On January 1, 2025, Gazprom said it would suspend gas supplies through Ukraine. On the same day, Fitzo noted that this would have drastic consequences for the European Union, but not for Russia.