The coalition council session was held on Thursday regarding the next course of action regarding the gas transit via Ukraine to Slovakia. Following a meeting with representatives of the European Commission, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) announced that a group comprising EU, Slovak, and Ukrainian representatives would be established to explore the potential resumption of gas transit through Ukraine. According to him, the government is still ready to take reciprocal measures against Ukraine - but it does not want to escalate the situation.
According to the opposition, the government's actions may cause even more damage to the country. Progresivne Slovensko leader Michal Šimečka stated that the Prime Minister is trying to cover up domestic problems by attacking Ukraine. He points out that Russia is the aggressor and not Ukraine. According to Šimečka, the Prime Minister is diplomatically isolated and has lost the support of his partners.
EU Commissioner for Energy Dan Jorgensen announced on Thursday, on the X platform that he and Slovak Premier Robert Fico "had a good and open discussion on the energy situation and wider implications of the end of the transit of Russian gas via Ukraine," TASR informed. Jorgensen also mentioned further discussions at both political and technical level, between Slovakia and the European Commission.
Leaders of parliamentary opposition parties Michal Simecka (PS), Milan Majersky (KDH) and Branislav Groehling (SaS) sent President Peter Pellegrini an open letter asking for a meeting to discuss the future foreign affairs orientation of Slovakia. They expressed their growing concerns raised by the incumbent government's actions and statements abroad.
Source: STVR, TASR, Dennik N
