Slovak prime minister says he doesn't want further escalation with Ukraine and calls Zelenskyy for meeting
www.pravda.com.ua
Mon, 13 Jan 2025 17:16:54 +0200
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has invited the Ukrainian president to a meeting to resolve the gas transit issues following the latest exchange of harsh statements with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Source Fico announced this on his Facebook page on Monday, as reported by European Pravda Details The head of the Slovak government said he had signed an open letter to Zelenskyy.
It says that the decision to stop gas transit through Ukraine to Slovakia and other consumers causes great harm to Ukraine, Slovakia and the EU.
Fico believes that this decision provokes a variety of reactions, which is not conducive to either bilateral or multilateral relations.
Fico said that he did not intend to respond to Volodymyr Zelenskyys statement of Sunday, 12 January, because he did not intend to escalate tensions further.
I want to concentrate fully on resolving the situation relating to the suspension of gas transit, the Slovak prime minister assured.
He called on the Ukrainian side to take an active part in further negotiations with Bratislava on gas and in the work of a special working group set up for this purpose.
Quote I would like to continue a constructive and mutually respectful dialogue with the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.
Therefore, as the highest representative of the Slovak executive branch, let me invite you to talks, preferably as soon as possible, fully understanding the seriousness of your agenda, Fico urged Zelenskyy.
He suggested that the meeting should take place on Slovak territory near the state border between Slovakia and Ukraine.
It is symbolic that you could use the direct train connection from Kyiv to Koice, which is the result of the joint efforts of our governments.
Such a meeting will create good preconditions for an open discussion on gas supplies to Slovakia and other countries via Ukraine, on possible technical solutions, taking into account the expiration of the contract between the respective Ukrainian and Russian companies on 31 December 2024, Fico said.
In the letter, Fico also stressed that he had different views than Zelenskyy on a number of issues.
Quote Above all, I do not believe in the strategy that continuing mutual bloodshed in the war in Ukraine strengthens Ukraines position in possible peace negotiations.
During all my foreign trips, I emphasise the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, support the existing peace plans and propose that peace talks at any level be held in Slovakia, Fico said.
I also hold a different opinion on your decision to stop gas transit through Ukrainian territory.
My position is not isolated in Europe.
Even if I do not consider the annual loss of approximately 500 million euros for the Slovak Republic due to the transit suspension as the most decisive factor, he added.
Background Fico recently harshly criticised Ukraine as an unreliable partner and said he was tired of President Zelenskyy travelling around Europe begging and blackmailing others.
On 12 January, Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Ficos insults in a scathing manner.
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