https://harici.com.tr/zelenskiy-fico-putinin-emriyle-ikinci-enerji-cephesini-acti/
Zelenskiy: Fico opens its second energy front on Putin's order
The ongoing "energy" tension between Ukraine and Slovakia is increasing.
Finally, when Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskiy said, "It seems that Putin ordered Fico to open a second energy front against Ukraine at the expense of the interests of the Slovak people," the strings were very tight.
Zelenskiy also made it clear that Ukraine was not thinking of renewing the agreement with Gazprom on the transport of Russian gas to Europe and that Kiev would not agree to pump Russian gas under the guise of Azerbaijani gas.
Zelenskiy said Slovakia currently meets 19 percent of Ukraine's electricity imports and that Ukraine is working with its European Union neighbors to increase supply.
“Slovakia is part of the only European energy market and Fico must respect common European rules,” Zelenskiy wrote, adding that cutting off the supply of electricity to Ukraine would deprive Slovakia of $200 million a year.
In a statement, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that Fico "is on the side of Putin" by making "meaningless threats" to cut Ukraine's electricity imports.
In this context, Fico made a visit to Russia and met with Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.
Fico said in a statement on Friday that if Kiev stops the gas crossing as of January 1, Slovakia will consider mutual measures such as stopping the backup electricity supply against Ukraine.
Slovakia reacted to Zelenskiy's words of "second energy front". The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia emphasized that Zelenskiy perceived Fico's reaction to his words as "exaggerated".
"We strongly reject the unfounded allegations of the opening of the 'second energy front', which Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskiy speculated, and the fabrications of any alliance with Vladimir Putin," the statement said.
“In addition, our Ukrainian counterparts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should not overlook the fact that Russian gas passing through the territory of Ukraine brings significant revenues to Ukraine that are vital to the country's economy,” the Slovak Foreign Ministry said, “they are providing and will continue to provide humanitarian aid to vulnerable and severely affected people in Ukraine as best we can.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that Ukraine should "refrain from creating new enemies or inventing the idea of a 'second front'" because it is "in a long-term military conflict".
Reminding that the Slovak government is first of all responsible for "protecting the strategic interests of the country, its citizens and the European Union", the ministry noted that Bratislava will act in this direction "regardless of whether the Ukrainian side approves".
Slovakia wants to continue the supply of Russian gas through Ukraine, saying that alternative routes will increase costs and affect its own transit operations, causing it to lose 500 million euros.