Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a parliamentary meeting on Jan. 10, accusing him of “begging and blackmailing” European leaders for support.
“Zelensky goes around Europe, just begging and blackmailing others, asking for money,” Fico said during the meeting, later sharing a video of his remarks on Facebook.
The meeting, called by the opposition, was aimed at scrutinizing Fico’s recent visit to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and evaluating Slovakia’s future energy strategies.
Fico accused Ukraine of disrupting a gas transit agreement between Russia and Azerbaijan, which he argued would have benefited Slovakia. Kyiv ceased Russian gas transit through its territory on Jan. 1, citing its refusal to fund Moscow’s war. Slovakia, which had relied on Russian gas transiting through Ukraine, has expressed concerns about the economic fallout from the decision.
Threats to Cut Support for Ukraine
Fico hinted that Slovakia could retaliate by halting humanitarian aid to Ukraine, withdrawing social benefits for Ukrainian refugees, and ending emergency electricity supplies. He also suggested leveraging Slovakia’s veto power in the EU to pressure Kyiv.
“It just has to stop,” Fico declared, adding that he was “fed up with” Zelensky.
Praise for Russia as a “Reliable Partner”
Fico described Russia as a dependable energy supplier, contrasting it with Ukraine, which he labeled as untrustworthy. “Russia has never deceived us, unlike Ukraine,” he said.
The prime minister cited a 2009 incident during which, according to him, Ukraine’s leadership refused to supply gas to Slovakia amid a crisis, calling it “typical Ukrainians.”
Controversial Moscow Visit
Fico’s Dec. 22 meeting with Putin at the Kremlin to discuss gas supplies has drawn widespread criticism from European and Ukrainian officials. As a Russian-friendly leader, Fico has frequently clashed with EU and NATO efforts to reduce dependency on Russian energy and support Ukraine against Russian aggression.
These remarks and policy threats underscore Fico’s strained relations with Ukraine and his controversial stance on Russia, positioning Slovakia at odds with broader European solidarity in the face of Russia’s invasion.
