EU country’s PM threatens veto on Ukraine aid

Slovakia could block aid packages for Kiev should it not resume transit of Russian gas, PM Robert Fico says

Bratislava could veto the EU-wide initiatives to assist Kiev, as well as take individual action against it, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has said, warning Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky against harming the bloc “for political reasons.”

The PM issued the threat on Sunday during an interview with local ta3 broadcaster while speaking about the ongoing gas transit row with Kiev. Ukraine opted to terminate the transit of Russian natural gas to the EU starting this year, effectively cutting off the flow to some EU countries, including Austria, Italy, and Slovakia. 

“If President Zelensky decides to harm the whole EU purely for political reasons, I speak for the Slovak government that when some aid for Ukraine is on the negotiating table, I will veto it,” Fico warned.

Other retaliatory measures against Kiev could potentially include stopping the emergency electricity supply to Ukraine, halting humanitarian aid deliveries or cutting benefits received by the Ukrainian refugees who reside in Slovakia, Fico stated. 

The PM reiterated his allegations against Kiev, claiming half of the money sent to Ukraine is “destined” to get stolen. When asked to elaborate, Fico did not provide specific details, arguing that rampant corruption in Ukraine is common knowledge. 

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Fico has long been a critic of the enduring Western aid to Kiev, arguing that Ukraine cannot defeat Russia on the battlefield and should seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict instead. Immediately after assuming his position in late 2023, Fico halted military aid to Ukraine and pledged to veto the country’s potential accession to the US-led NATO bloc. 

The already strained relations between Bratislava and Kiev deteriorated even further amid the gas row. Landlocked Slovakia has been heavily dependent on Russian supply, getting over 50% of its gas through the Ukrainian transit system. 

Earlier this week, Fico admitted he has been getting “sick” of Zelensky sometimes, stating he was not “here to hold hands” with him. “He roams Europe begging and blackmailing, asking others for money,” Fico told the Slovak parliament’s foreign affairs committee. “This needs to stop.”

Ukraine has refused to renew the gas contract under the banner of eliminating Russia’s profits. Prime Minister Denis Shmigal confirmed last week that Kiev had no plans of signing another contract with Moscow.