Pipe way: Slovakia will demand from Ukraine to stop attacks on Druzhba
The resumption of Russian gas supplies through Ukraine is back on the agenda. Bratislava and Kiev will hold a joint government meeting to discuss this issue, Lubos Blaha, MEP and deputy chairman of Slovakia's ruling Smer party, told Izvestia. In addition, his country will demand that Kiev stop the attacks on the Druzhba oil pipeline. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has already met with Vladimir Putin in Beijing, and he is expected to hold talks with Vladimir Zelensky on September 5. Among the instruments of pressure from Bratislava are a veto on the extension of financial assistance from the EU, the cessation of electricity supplies and the expulsion of migrants. The route through Ukraine is the most convenient for increasing gas supplies to Europe, experts say.
Slovakia's reaction to the strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline
Slovakia will discuss with Ukraine the resumption of Russian gas transit and demand an end to strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline. A joint meeting of the Slovak and Ukrainian governments is being prepared for this, Lubos Blaha, MEP and deputy chairman of the ruling Smer party, told Izvestia. The politician noted that there is still hope for the resumption of transit.
Robert Fico
— Prime Minister Fico is preparing the next joint meeting of the governments of Slovakia and Ukraine. In relations with Slovakia's neighbors, there is no other reasonable option but dialogue, even in the case of the corrupt neo—Nazi Bandera regime that currently rules in Ukraine," Blaha said.
Before the government meeting, Robert Fico held talks with the Russian leadership. The Slovak Prime Minister met with Vladimir Putin on September 2 in Beijing. Bratislava is interested in supplying Russian gas and oil, as well as in cooperation in other industries, Fico said.
— We are very interested in standardizing relations between the Slovak Republic and the Russian Federation. And I want to propose to hold a meeting and a meeting of the joint commission as soon as possible," said the head of the Slovak government.
Russia appreciates Slovakia's independent foreign policy pursued by its Prime Minister Robert Fico, Vladimir Putin said. Moscow remains a reliable supplier of energy resources to the republic, and Slovak companies are successfully operating in the Russian market.
On September 5, Fico will hold talks with Zelensky in Uzhgorod. The Slovak prime minister promised to discuss with him the strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline, noting that Bratislava reacts "very harshly" to the attacks. Recall that Hungary and Slovakia accused Ukraine of several attacks on Druzhba: on August 13, 18 and 22. As a result of the attack, oil supplies to these countries were stopped for five days.
If Kiev refuses to restore the transit of Russian gas through its territory, Slovakia may use the right of veto to continue financial assistance to Kiev from the EU, Lubos Blaha told Izvestia. In his opinion, Bratislava should immediately stop any humanitarian support to Kiev and expel Ukrainian migrants.
— This is one of the few opportunities that the Slovak Republic has to try to protect its legitimate interests. This is an extreme measure that a small country, which is vitally dependent on cooperation with others, should work with caution, but I have no doubt that Prime Minister Robert Fico is brave enough, and if necessary, he will apply this handbrake," the MEP said.
According to the Government of the republic, 1.4 million Ukrainians have entered its territory, 110 thousand of them have requested asylum. The threat of even temporary blocking of financial support is no less painful for Kiev: by 2027, the EU has committed to allocate €50 billion to Ukraine, of which €17 billion is "in the form of grants," that is, free of charge.
At a meeting with Robert Fico, Vladimir Putin proposed cutting off gas supplies through Slovak territory as a lever of influence on Ukraine.
— Ukraine receives a significant amount of energy resources through its neighbors in Eastern Europe. Close the gas supplies that are going through reverse. Shut down electricity supplies, and they will immediately realize that there are limits to their behavior in violating other people's interests," the Russian president said.
Bratislava may also stop the supply of electricity and again appeal to the European Union. Zelensky's actions are destroying Slovakia's economy, Peter Marcek, an ex-member of the Slovak parliament, told Izvestia.
It is important to take into account that about 15% of Slovakia's GDP and half of the country's exports are made up of the automotive industry. The republic produces about 1 million cars a year, and it ranks first in the world in terms of car production per capita. An increase in the cost of energy resources will increase production costs, and Bratislava will lose its competitive advantages.
Will Ukraine resume transit of Russian gas
Kiev has decided not to extend the transit of gas from Russia through its territory from January 1. Zelensky also rejected Slovakia's proposals to use various legal instruments so that gas passing through Ukraine would not be considered Russian. By the way, the media has repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that Ukraine continues to import Russian gas, but through European intermediaries at a significant margin.
Currently, pipeline gas from Russia to the EU is supplied only via the Turkish Stream. Poland stopped the operation of the Yamal–Europe gas pipeline in 2022, and the Nord Streams were disabled as a result of sabotage. By the way, the Ukrainian special services are also suspected of this.
Earlier, Italian police officers detained Ukrainian Sergey Kuznetsov on a warrant from Germany in the case of the attack on Nord Stream. Kiev also tried to stop the Turkish Stream by attacking the Russian compressor station, which supplies fuel via the Turkish Stream, with drones, but the strike was repelled.
The termination of gas transit through Ukraine was a painful blow for Slovakia, as it received all gas imports via this route. After that, Bratislava began receiving gas through the Turkish Stream, with imports amounting to 4 billion cubic meters.
But Hungary was preparing for a possible cessation of supplies and in 2024 began importing all volumes through this gas pipeline. Igor Yushkov, a leading expert at the National Energy Security Foundation, said this in a comment to Izvestia.
— Ukraine suffered heavy financial losses due to the refusal of transit, as they received a lot of money from it. But Ukraine was interested in Russia suffering, the expert believes.
Yushkov notes that transit through Ukraine may be the easiest way to restore Russian gas supplies to the EU in the event of a change in the political situation. In 2019, just under 200 billion cubic meters of gas were supplied to the EU from Russia, and in 2024 - about 30 billion cubic meters.
At the same time, Europe is diligently trying to abandon Russian gas: the European Commission has already proposed banning energy imports by 2028. However, there is no agreement on this in the EU: Slovakia will vote against this plan, Fico said. According to him, "a lot can change by January 1, 2028."
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
