Fico asked Zelenskyy to discuss Russian gas transit, Ukrainian president invited him to Kyiv on Friday

(Patria) - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks on gas transit amid a dispute over Kyiv's move to halt Russian gas supplies. Zelenskyy responded to him on platform X yesterday afternoon.

Ukraine cut off gas flows to Europe at the beginning of the year after the transit agreement between Kyiv and Moscow expired, seeking to stop energy revenues going to Moscow to finance its nearly three-year invasion.

Fico says the move cost Slovakia, which borders Ukraine, higher gas prices and lost transit fees for gas flowing further into Europe, and is seeking a resumption of gas flows.

In an open letter to Zelenskyy, published by his office, he said a meeting could be held in Slovakia near the Ukrainian border and could be used to discuss technical solutions to the issue.

- Such a meeting will create a good basis for an open discussion on gas supplies to Slovakia and other countries via Ukrainian territory - Fico said.

Fico earlier said an agreement had been reached under which gas supplies via Ukraine would continue by first changing ownership. However, he added, Zelenskyy at the EU summit in December refused to extend any gas flow through Ukraine.

Fico claims Europe suffered losses of several billion euros due to the rise in gas prices caused by the lack of about 13.5 billion cubic metres of gas that passed through Ukraine last year, including about three billion cubic metres of gas for consumption in Slovakia.

Zelenskyy briefly responded to Fico on platform X yesterday afternoon: "Ok. Come to Kyiv on Friday."

Ok. Come to Kyiv on Friday. pic.twitter.com/9lOSLCR7FD

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 13, 2025