Slovakia may stop gas transit to Ukraine - PM

MOSCOW. Feb 11 (Interfax) - Bratislava has the moral right to suspend natural gas transit to Ukraine via Slovakia after Ukraine halted transit of Russian gas through its territory in early 2025, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said.

"We have the moral right to consider methods to stop foreign supplies of approximately 7.5 million cubic meters [mcm] per day to Ukraine. These foreign supplies from Europe to Ukraine put even greater pressure on the price of gas, which already hit an all-time high of around 60 euros for a megawatt per hour," he was quoted by Ukrainian media as saying on social media.

Slovakia should thank Russia and Turkey that through their efforts Russian gas is starting to be supplied to Slovakia via TurkStream, Fico said. Without it, he said, "Ukraine would get frozen."

The issue of Ukraine stopping the transit of Russian gas is being intensively discussed both domestically and at the European level, Fico said. "Europe is making a mockery of itself. Ukraine can inflict any damage it wants to itself, but Europe cannot cover up Ukraine's folly," Fico said.

According to gas transport operators, Ukraine has been importing around 14 mcm to 16 mcm of gas daily in recent days, while experts, for instance, former Energy Minister Olga Buslavets estimate the daily consumption at 95 mcm to 100 mcm of gas.