Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico today extended an invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for negotiations on issues related to gas transit, Agence France-Presse and Reuters reported.
The two countries are engaged in a fierce dispute that began after Ukraine stopped the transit of Russian gas through its territory from January 1st due to the expiration of the relevant agreement between Kiev and Moscow.
"Such a meeting would create a good basis for open discussions on gas supplies to Slovakia and other countries through Ukrainian territory," Fico said in an open letter to Zelensky.
"OK. Come to Kyiv on Friday," Zelensky replied in a short message in "X".
Ok. Come to Kyiv on Friday. pic.twitter.com/9lOSLCR7FD
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 13, 2025
Fico is unhappy with Ukraine's decision to stop the transit of Russian gas through its territory from January 1. The treaty signed with Moscow in late 2019 continued to be implemented despite the Russian invasion.
The Slovak prime minister is a nationalist who is friendly to Russian President Vladimir Putin, AFP notes, recalling that Fico visited Moscow on December 22 to try to find a solution, which angered Zelensky.
Since returning to power in October 2023, he has strengthened his ties with the Kremlin and suspended all military aid to Ukraine, threatening to cut off electricity supplies, humanitarian aid and assistance to Ukrainian refugees. He also proposed peace talks, which Kiev says are beneficial to Russia, which has repeatedly said it would consider a cessation of hostilities only on its terms.
Putin, for his part, has said he is considering the proposal, as US President-elect Donald Trump is expected to take office on January 20. He campaigned on a promise to end the conflict, criticizing Washington's aid to Kiev.