Zelensky: "We offered Slovakia compensation for the loss of Russian transit."

Ukraine proposed to Slovakia compensation for losses incurred due to the halt of Russian gas transit, as well as assistance in finding alternative gas supplies from the EU. However, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico rejected Kyiv’s options.

This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"We made him an offer regarding possible compensation for the Slovaks – specifically for the Slovaks – for losses from Russian transit, as well as alternatives for transit – any other gas, not Russian, at the request of the European Commission. We were ready to do this. Fico did not want compensation for the Slovaks. And he does not want to cooperate with the European Commission. For some reason, it is more beneficial for him in Moscow," wrote Zelensky on social media platform X.

He accused Fico of having shadow agreements with Putin, stating that he is "fighting for money," pursuing personal interests.

"We are fighting for life, Fico is fighting for money, and hardly for the money of Slovakia. Shadow agreements with Putin are either trading state interests or working for his own pocket," Zelensky noted.

He added that everyone in Europe understands this. "There is no one who does not understand."

Zelensky's statement was a response to Fico's trip to Moscow and the Slovak Prime Minister's claim that Kyiv allegedly offered Bratislava 500 million euros from frozen Russian assets in exchange for approving Ukraine's NATO membership. Fico emphasized that he would "never" agree to Ukraine joining the military alliance.

On December 22, Fico visited Russia and met with Putin in the Kremlin. The talks were held in a one-on-one format. Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Fico has become the third European leader to visit Moscow. Prior to him, the Prime Ministers of Hungary and Austria had met with Putin. According to both sides, Fico and Putin discussed the transit of Russian gas and oil to Europe, as well as the war in Ukraine.

In this context, Zelensky stated that Fico does not want to participate in joint European efforts for energy independence and find alternatives to Russian gas.

"Rather the opposite – he wants to help Russia push American gas and energy resources from other partners out of Europe, which means he wants to help Putin earn money to finance the war and weaken Europe," the Ukrainian president noted.

The contract between Ukraine and Russia for gas transit expires on January 1, 2025. Kyiv has repeatedly stated that it does not plan to extend the agreement. At the same time, Ukrainian authorities have indicated that they are ready to transport gas through their gas transportation system if the fuel is not from Russia.