Zelenskiy hosts Slovakia’s opposition chief in Kyiv amid spat with PM Fico

By Yuliia Dysa

(Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy mentioned power safety with Slovakia’s opposition chief in Kyiv on Friday, amid a row with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico who has threatened to chop assist to Ukraine.

Fico is offended with Kyiv over its resolution to not lengthen a deal on the transit of Russian fuel provides through Ukraine, saying the transfer had broken Slovakia’s financial system. His leftist-nationalist coalition is wanting shakier and faces a no-confidence vote.

Zelenskiy had invited Fico to go to Kyiv for talks on Friday, an invite he alluded to as he introduced his assembly with Michal Simecka, the top of Progressive Slovakia, the nation’s largest opposition occasion.

“Friday. Anticipated one Slovak chief, however met one other. I had a great assembly with Slovak parliamentarians, led by @MSimecka,” Zelenskiy wrote on X.

“We’re prepared for an open and mutually helpful dialogue on all points, notably within the power sector. This dialogue should strengthen our nations — Ukraine and Slovakia — not Moscow,” Zelenskiy mentioned in his assertion after assembly Simecka.

Simecka mentioned in a separate assertion that he believed Ukraine was prepared to barter over the problem, including: “That’s precisely what I’m calling on Robert Fico to do now”.

Russian fuel flows to Europe through Ukraine ended initially of the yr after the transit settlement between Kyiv and Moscow expired. Kyiv refused to increase the deal to cut back income streams supporting Russia’s battle in Ukraine.

The general fuel scenario has remained secure in Slovakia, however Fico says the top of Russian fuel provides through Ukraine has resulted in increased fuel costs and a lack of transit charges. He has insisted on the necessity to restore flows, one thing Kyiv rejects.

THREATS

Zelenskiy and Fico have since exchanged mutual accusations.

If the fuel transit drawback is just not resolved, Fico has threatened to chop emergency electrical energy provides to Ukraine, scale back assist for its refugees in Slovakia or to make use of its veto proper on European Union choices referring to Kyiv.

Zelenskiy has mentioned Fico’s lack of want to cut back his nation’s dependence on Russian pure sources threatens each Slovakia and Europe.

On Monday, Fico proposed he and Zelenskiy meet on the Slovakian-Ukrainian border to debate the fuel scenario. Zelenskiy mentioned Fico ought to as a substitute come to Kyiv for the talks.

Fico mentioned on Thursday that he was in search of a date to fulfill Zelenskiy, which might occur within the “nearest days”, in response to Slovak media.

He didn’t give particulars, however each leaders are scheduled to attend the Davos discussion board in Switzerland within the coming week.