Fico revealed the condition Zelensky demands for gas transit: "I said - never!"

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that Volodymyr Zelensky allegedly proposed "absurd" conditions for the transit of Russian gas through the country. The Slovak leader claims that the Ukrainian president promised him transit in exchange for permission for Ukraine to join NATO. Fico assured that he did not agree.

According to Politico, Fico mentioned that this Zelensky's proposal was made behind "closed doors." The Slovak Prime Minister suggested that Ukraine "allowed itself to harm the economy of an EU member state."

"The Ukrainian president asked me if I would vote for NATO membership if he gave me 500 million euros of Russian assets, and of course, I said: 'never,'" Fico reported.

The publication states that Robert Fico pleaded with Volodymyr Zelensky at the NATO leaders' summit to extend the agreement for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine, as the current contract expires at the end of this year. According to the Slovak politician, losing Russian gas would cost his country 500 million euros annually.

"Politico reached out to Zelensky's press secretary for a comment (to confirm whether the Ukrainian president indeed made such a proposal), but we did not receive a response by the time of publication," the publication writes.

Transit of Russian Gas and Slovakia

Starting January 1, 2025, Ukraine will halt gas transit from Russia. On December 20, 2024, Robert Fico expressed his outrage over this decision by President Volodymyr Zelensky. Fico stated that he was surprised by Zelensky's position, who refused to allow the transit of Russian gas without guarantees that the Kremlin would not gain financial benefits amid the war.

Fico emphasized that Slovakia, which is largely dependent on Russian gas, proposed alternative mechanisms. This included transferring ownership rights to the gas before it enters Ukraine. However, the Ukrainian side rejected these proposals.

Fico plans to hold consultations with the European Commission in the coming days in search of a compromise. He expressed hope for a more constructive dialogue with the Ukrainian side, particularly with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine would not accept any transit options that would allow Russia to continue profiting.