Fitzo says threat to lift sanctions on Russia has impact on Kiev

The possibility of lifting the anti-Russian sanctions may significantly affect the position of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (his term of office expires in May 2024) on the issue of gas transit. This was stated by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo on January 28.

"This is a language that Zelensky understands. He knows that if we stop all sanctions against Russia, he risks not receiving a single euro from the EU," Fitzo was quoted as saying by the Teraz portal.

Left in prolongation: why Hungary did not veto anti-Russian sanctions

EU foreign ministers discuss further pressure on Russia and relations with the US under Trump

On January 27, EU diplomatic chief Kaja Kallas officially confirmed the extension of anti-Russian sanctions for six months. In turn, Hungarian Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Minister Peter Szijjarto said that Budapest had received from the European Commission the required guarantees of energy security, without which it refused to extend sanctions against Russia.

It was also noted at the time that the European Commission (EC) would in all likelihood postpone by a month the official publication of a roadmap outlining a plan for European Union (EU) countries with specific measures they need to take to completely phase out fuel imports from Russia, including liquefied natural gas (LNG).

On January 1, 2025, Gazprom announced that it would suspend gas supplies through Ukraine. On the same day, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo said that this would have drastic consequences for the EU, but not for Russia.