Slovakian Support for Russia.
The Slovakian Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has stated that the Slovakian coalition government will discuss retaliatory measures to take against Ukraine after it halted the flow of Russian gas through its territory.
This move by Ukraine, against Russia, the invader of Ukrainian territory, and the killer of many thousands of Ukrainian men, women and children, has hurt Russia financially, and helps to weaken the Russian attacks on Ukraine.
Slovakia appears to feel that Ukraine should continue to allow Russia to use Ukrainian pipelines to sell gas to other countries, and directly increase the Russian ability to wage war against Ukraine.
The contract for Russian gas exports via Soviet-era pipelines running through Ukraine ended on 31 December 2024, and Ukraine, who had honoured this contract even though Russia had invaded Ukraine, refused to renew it.
This marked the end of decades of Moscow’s dominance over Europe’s energy markets, and is expected to cause billions of dollars of losses to Russia.
Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, attended a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia on 22 December 2024.
Fico’s visit has drawn criticism from opposition parties in Slovakia and other EU nations due to his pro-Russian stance.
Robert Fico said that the talks in Moscow were a reaction to Ukraine planning to not renew the Russian gas transit through Ukraine from the New Year.
Slovakia has already ended military aid to Ukraine and sought warmer relations with Moscow.
Fico described the ending of Russian gas flows as “sabotage”.
Since returning to power in 2023, Fico has ended Slovakian military aid to Ukraine and pledged to block Ukraine from joining NATO. He has also been critical of EU sanctions on Russia.
NATO was created in 1949 to act as a deterrent to the threat of Soviet expansion in Europe after World War II.
Slovakia joined NATO in 2004, but now appears to have changed its position, and may now be against NATO policy.
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