Moscow, 23rd December 2024 – Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Sunday to discuss key issues related to the transit of Russian gas. Fico shared details of the meeting on social media, highlighting that it was in response to recent comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a European Union summit, where he opposed the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to Slovakia.
During their talks, Putin reassured Fico that Russia would continue supplying gas to Slovakia and the broader Western region. However, Fico raised concerns about the future of this supply after 1st January 2025, when the current gas contract expires, especially considering Zelensky’s position on the matter.
Fico also noted that top European Union officials had been informed about the purpose of his visit ahead of the meeting. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that Ukraine will halt the transit of Russian gas starting 1st January 2025. If transit resumes, it would only involve non-Russian gas and would require a formal request from the European Commission, according to reports from the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
This meeting is particularly significant given Ukraine’s historical role as a key transit route for Russian gas to Europe. The situation comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and could have important implications for the energy landscape in Europe.
Related Topics:
- How Gas Is Extracted: A Detailed Overview of Natural Gas Extraction
- What is the Temperature of Liquid Natural Gas?
- Is LPG Gas Cheaper Than Mains Gas? A Comprehensive Guide